Vaccine for Bordatella infections
- Detailed Technology Description
- TechnologySummaryDespite an extensivevaccination regimen and continued high levels of vaccine coverage, theprevalence of pertussis infection has drastically increased throughout theindustrial world in recent years, leading to epidemics in the United States andother countries. In fact, in 2015, the NationalInstitute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases added Bordetella pertussis to the list of priority Emerging InfectiousDiseases/Pathogens due to both increasing rates of whooping cough in adults andthe significant increase in infant deaths. The cause of this re-emergence is not well understood. However, it is important to note thatlimiting disease in adolescents and adults will limit disease in infants forwhich the disease is more likely to be fatal. Current whooping cough vaccines are on themarket, but they are generally regarded as effective but not long lasting. Bordatella is also an important pathogen foranimals as it is the causative agent of kennel cough in dogs and can alsoinfect cats and other pets. The current invention describes a vaccine withan engineered mutation in a factor implicated in infection that conferssterilizing immunity to pertussis infection in mice.
- *Abstract
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Applications
- Vaccine for whooping cough in humans
- Vaccine for kennel cough in dogs andbronchopneumonia in cats
- Engineered vaccine for other pathogens
ProblemsAddressed
A whole cell pertussis vaccine was introducedin the mid 20th century to protect against whooping cough, but due toundesirable secondary effects an acellular vaccine replaced in in the mid-1990’s. It has been shown that the current acellularvaccine protects against symptoms of pertussis but not colonization ortransmission, creating a great need for a more efficient vaccine, characterizedby long-lasting sterilizing immunity that prevents both colonization andtransmission. UGA investigators aredeveloping a vaccine to address these unmet needs. Specifically this engineered vaccinecandidate:
· conferslong lasting protection and sterilizing immunity against diverse Bordetella spp.; no other vaccine indevelopment has successfully protected against this diverse of a range ofspecies
· generatesan earlier and more robust immune response than current vaccine
Inventors
• EricHarvill, University of Georgia Athletic Association Professor of MedicalMicrobiology
Dr, Harvill’s research interests include bacterialpathogenesis and host immunity, how pathogens manipulate the immune response,how pathogens interact with other resident bacteria (microflora) and theeffects of these various interactions on vaccine efficacy
• MonicaCartelle-Gestal, Postdoctoral Research Associate
TechnologyDevelopment and IP Status
· Preclinicalanimal studies ongoing
· Patentpending
- Country/Region
- USA
