PHILADELPHIA, April 4 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have used a weakened rabies virus to vaccinate laboratory primates against an AIDS-like disease.
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College used a drastically weakened rabies virus to ferry HIV-related proteins into animals, in essence vaccinating them against an AIDS-like disease.
The study suggests rabies might hold a key to defeating the human immunodeficiency virus -- the cause of AIDS.
The scientists said two years after the initial vaccination, four vaccinated non-human primates remained protected from disease, even after being "challenged" with a dangerous animal-human virus. Two control animals developed an AIDS-like disease.
"We still need a vaccine that protects from HIV infection but protecting against developing disease can be a very important step," said lead investigator Professor Matthias Schnell, noting researchers aren't sure how long the viral immunity will last.
The study is reported in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
