Cytomegalovirus vaccines: current status.

Clinical observations on the natural history of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in solid organ transplant recipients and in pregnant women and their offspring provide the rationale for the development of a CMV vaccine. The Towne live vaccine has been shown to be safe and immunogenic in healthy adults. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in renal transplant recipients, administration of Towne vaccine was associated with significant reduction in the incidence of severe CMV disease. The use of the Towne vaccine for prevention of symptomatic congenital infection deserves further consideration. As an alternative to live vaccine, recombinant vectors containing CMV proteins are being developed.