An oral vaccine against CVA16 (Coxsackievirus A16) was developed by constructing a recombinant Lactococcus lactis

Purpose: To develop an oral vaccine against CVA16 (Coxsackievirus A16) by constructing a recombinant Lactococcus lactis that expresses VP1 from CVA16.Method: An oral CVA16 vaccine was prepared by expressing CVA16 VP1 protein with Lactococcus lactis. CVA16 VP1 gene was incorporated into a Lactobacillus expression vector, namely, pNZ8148, and then expressed in NZ9000, a food-grade lactic acid bacterium which serves as a carrier for oral vaccines.Results: There was statistically significant difference in CVA16-specific IgG antibody level between NZ9000-pNZ8148-CVA16-VP1 group (0.49 ± 0.05) and control group (0.05 ± 0.00) when the antiserum was diluted 1:10 (t = 19.84; p < 0.05). Furthermore, the level of CVA16-specific IgA antibody in NZ9000- pNZ8148-CVA16-VP1 group (0.17 ± 0.02) was significantly higher than in control group (0.05 ± 0.00) following antiserum dilution of 1:10 (t =12.08; p < 0.05).Conclusion: A CVA16 oral vaccine made from Lactobacillus elicits protective antibodies against CVA16. Thus, it is a potential as oral vaccine against CVA16 but further studies in vivo are required to ascertain its safety and effectiveness. Keywords: Coxsackievirus A16, Hand, foot and mouth disease, Lactococcus lactis, Oral vaccine, Enterovirus 71