Protection against meningitis
Meningitis vaccine in the form of drops has been successfully tested on humans
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
The drops contain modified bacteria that block infection with upper respiratory tract meningococcus. The results of clinical studies have shown that this is a simple and safe way to prevent inflammation of the membranes of the brain. Now scientists are planning to adapt the technology for respiratory infections.
Article by Laver et al. A recombinant bacterial bacterial elicits heterologous antigen-specific immune responses during pharyngeal carriage is published in the journal Science Translational Medicine – VM.
The drops were developed by a team from University of Southampton. The study showed that their drug causes a strong immune response against the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis. After the onset of symptoms, this bacterial form of the disease can be fatal within a few hours.
The scientists worked with Neisseria lactamica bacteria living in the nose, which, as it turned out earlier, have the ability to block the activity of their closest "relative" – the pathogen of meningitis Neisseria meningitidis. Now they decided to enhance this property of N.lactamica and modified the bacteria by adding a copy of the N.meningitidis surface protein gene.
These changes turned out to be very successful. The drops caused a strong and long-term immune response in 60% of the volunteers, manifested by antibodies and cellular memory.
Protective bacteria remained in the respiratory tract for at least 28 days, and 86% of the subjects were determined after 90 days of observation.
"Theoretically, we can express any antigen in our bacteria, so it is possible to adapt the technology to fight many other infections that penetrate through the upper respiratory tract," said Jay Laver, the first author of the article, in a press release of People given 'friendly' bacteria in nose drops protected against meningitis. In the longer term, the method can be adapted for the production and delivery of therapeutic molecules, he added.
Meningitis occurs in people of any age, but most often affects newborns, children and the elderly. As the authors hope, their vaccine should become a simple and effective way to prevent meningitis, primarily in these population groups.
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