Quantification of RVFV Specific T Cell Responses in Mice Pre-immunized with Potential Vaccine Candidates.

Abstract

Rift Valley fever (RVF) caused by Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a major health concern for both domesticated animals and humans in certain endemic areas of Africa. With changing environmental conditions and identification of vectors capable of transmitting the virus, there is high risk of RVFV spreading into other parts of the world. Furthermore, unavailability of effective vaccines in the event of an outbreak can be a major challenge as witnessed recently in case of SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Hence, identifying potential vaccines and testing their protective efficacy in preclinical models before clinical testing is the absolute need of the hour. Here, we describe methods used to quantify virus-specific T cell responses in mice that were immunized with RVFV strains or antigens.