Japanese encephalitis virus SA 14-14-2 strain (JEV SA 14-14-2)

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) SA 14-14-2 strain is a live-attenuated virus derived from the virulent SA 14 parent strain through extensive serial passage in primary hamster kidney cells (Yun and Lee, 2014). It serves as the foundational biological component for several vaccines, most notably the live-attenuated CD.JEVAX and the chimeric YF-JEV vaccine, Imojev (WHO, 2019). The attenuation of this strain is primarily mediated by specific mutations in the Envelope (E) protein, which significantly diminish its neurovirulence and neuroinvasiveness compared to wild-type strains (Halstead and Thomas, 2011). Upon administration, the strain functions as an immunogen, inducing the host immune system to produce high titers of neutralizing antibodies that target the E protein, thereby preventing viral attachment and entry into host neurons (Monath et al., 2011). While the strain is considered highly safe and effective, therapeutic challenges include the theoretical risk of genomic reversion to a virulent state and the contraindication of its use in immunocompromised populations (Hegde and Gore, 2017).

Other names

JEV SA 14-14-2Live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis virusSA 14-14-2 strain

Induction of neutralizing antibodies against the viral envelope (E) protein to prevent viral attachment and entry into host cells (Yun and Lee, 2014).