Virus vectors for immunoprophylaxis

Recombinant virus vectors carrying foreign protective genes from different pathogenic microorganisms are now being studied for the prevention of a wide variety of human and animal infectious diseases. Although safety issues have recently emerged in their utilization in vivo due to adverse side effects, vector cytotoxicity, occasional host hyperimmune response and failure to elicit complete protection, viral vectors are still the more promising and novel vaccine carriers. Currently, several replication-competent and replication-defective viruses including poxviruses, adenoviruses, herpesviruses, alphatogaviruses and picornaviruses are under deep investigation to determine their gene expression and immune efficacy. This review will summarize the current status of the development of viral vectors for immunoprophylaxis.