Which diseases can DNA vaccines act against?

• A. Heart disease and diabetes
• B. HIV, influenza, hepatitis, and dengue
• C. Only bacterial infections
• D. Only viral infections in animals

Answer: (B)

DNA vaccines are designed to induce an immune response by introducing a small, circular piece of DNA that encodes a portion of the pathogen’s proteins. This technology has been particularly effective in targeting viral pathogens, which is why the correct answer encompasses diseases such as HIV, influenza, hepatitis, and dengue.

These diseases are caused by viruses, and DNA vaccines can stimulate both humoral (antibody-mediated) and cellular (T-cell-mediated) immune responses, thereby providing protection against these viral infections. The development of DNA vaccines has gained traction in recent years, especially in the context of infectious diseases where traditional vaccine approaches may face challenges.

In contrast, heart disease and diabetes are not infections and do not stem from viral or bacterial pathogens, making them unsuitable targets for DNA vaccines. The other options that limit DNA vaccines either to bacterial infections or only to viral infections in animals do not accurately reflect the broad potential of DNA vaccine technology in combating various viral infections in humans.