Transcriptional units encoding Zika virus (ZIKV) premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) proteins, which upon translation form Zika virus-like particles (VLPs), are described. Use of the transcriptional units and VLPs in three different ZIKV vaccine platforms is described. Immunoassay-based detection methods using ZIKV VLPs are described for the diagnosis of ZIKV infection.

The present disclosure relates to Zika vaccines. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to vaccine compositions for use in methods of protecting a human subject against Zika disease or infection, wherein said composition comprises a vaccinal for Zika such as a live attenuated or inactivated chimeric Zika virus; live attenuated Zika virus; an inactivated Zika virus; a replication-defective pseudo-infectious Zika virus; a Zika virus-like particle (VLP), a Zika protein or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the Zika vaccinal comprises or encodes altered polypeptide sequences disclosed herein.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to nucleic acid vaccines. The vaccines include one or more RNA polynucleotides having an open reading frame encoding one or more Chikungunya antigen(s), one or more Zika virus antigens, and one or more Dengue antigens. Methods for preparing and using such vaccines are also described.

Transcriptional units encoding Zika virus (ZIKV) premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) proteins, which upon translation form Zika virus-like particles (VLPs), are described. Use of the transcriptional units and VLPs in three different ZIKV vaccine platforms is described. Immunoassay-based detection methods using ZIKV VLPs are described for the diagnosis of ZIKV infection.

The present invention relates to recombinant measles virus expressing Zika virus proteins and their applications, in particular in inducing preventive protection against Zika virus. The present invention is directed to recombinant measles virus (MV) expressing at least (i) the precursor of membrane (prM) protein of a Zika virus (ZIKV), and the envelope (E) protein of a ZIKV or a truncated version thereof, or (ii) the E protein of a ZIKV or a truncated version thereof, and concerns recombinant infectious particles of said MV-ZIKV able to replicate in a host after an administration, and also Virus Like Particles (VLPs) that contain these ZIKV proteins at their surface. The present invention provides means, in particular nucleic acids, vectors, cells and rescue systems to produce these recombinant infectious particles and VLPs. The present invention also relates to the use of these recombinant infectious particles and/or VLPs, in particular under the form of a composition, more particularly in a vaccine formulation, for the prevention of an infection by ZIKV or for the preventive protection against clinical outcomes of ZIKV infection.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to nucleic acid vaccines. The vaccines include one or more RNA polynucleotides having an open reading frame encoding one or more Chikungunya antigen(s), one or more Zika virus antigens, and one or more Dengue antigens. Methods for preparing and using such vaccines are also described.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to nucleic acid vaccines. The vaccines include one or more RNA polynucleotides having an open reading frame encoding one or more Chikungunya antigen(s), one or more Zika virus antigens, and one or more Dengue antigens. Methods for preparing and using such vaccines are also described.

The present invention methods and compositions for differentiating a Zika virus infection in a subject from infection by a different flavivirus.

The present invention relates to recombinant measles virus expressing Zika virus proteins and their applications, in particular in inducing preventive protection against Zika virus. The present invention is directed to recombinant measles virus (MV) expressing at least (i) the precursor of membrane (prM) protein of a Zika virus (ZIKV), and the envelope (E) protein of a ZIKV or a truncated version thereof, or (ii) the E protein of a ZIKV or a truncated version thereof, and concerns recombinant infectious particles of said MV-ZIKV able to replicate in a host after an administration, and also Virus Like Particles (VLPs) that contain these ZIKV proteins at their surface. The present invention provides means, in particular nucleic acids, vectors, cells and rescue systems to produce these recombinant infectious particles and VLPs. The present invention also relates to the use of these recombinant infectious particles and/or VLPs, in particular under the form of a composition, more particularly in a vaccine formulation, for the prevention of an infection by ZIKV or for the preventive protection against clinical outcomes of ZIKV infection.

The present invention provides compositions and methods of use comprising a chimeric dengue virus E glycoprotein comprising a dengue virus E glycoprotein backbone, which comprises amino acid substitutions that introduce an epitope that is recognized by an antibody from a dengue virus serotype that is different from the dengue virus serotype of the dengue virus E glycoprotein backbone.