New Non-Invasive Vaccine Strategy May Offer Protection Against Tetanus And Anthrax

Main Category: Immune System / Vaccines
Also Included In: Bio-terrorism / Terrorism
Article Date: 17 Jun 2006 - 3:00 PDT

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A new vaccine strategy using genetically engineered bacteria topically applied to the skin elicits an immune response to both tetanus and anthrax in animals say researchers from Vaxin Inc., Birmingham, Alabama. They report their findings in the June 2006 issue of the journal Infection and Immunity.

The new vaccine strategy described in this study consists of a topically applied vaccine containing live Escherichia coli bacteria that are genetically engineered to produce proteins associated with the bacteria that cause anthrax and tetanus. These compounds can be administered by nonmedical personnel. Past studies have shown the outer layer of the skin to be more immunocompetent than deep tissue and experts believe that self-applied painless vaccines will further increase the compliance rate.

In the study mice were administered a topical E. coli vectored vaccine and then challenged with tetanus cells and anthrax spores. Ninety percent of the vaccinated mice infected with tetanus survived, those that didn't receive the vaccine died within five days. Of the mice vaccinated and challenged with anthrax, only 44% survived, but when additional E. coli particles were added, the survival rate increased to 55%.

"The nonreplicating E. coli vector overproducing an exogenous immunogen may foster the development of a new generation of vaccines that can be manufactured rapidly and administered noninvasively in a wide variety of disease settings," say the researchers.

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J. Zhang, Z. Shi, F. Kong, E. Jex, Z. Huang, J.M. Watt, K.R. Van Kampen, D.C. Tang. 2006. Topical application of Escherichia coli-vectored vaccine as a simple method for eliciting protective immunity. Infection and Immunity, 74. 6: 3607-3617.

Contact: Carrie Patterson
American Society for Microbiology

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