Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of
community acquired pneumonia. It also results in some two million deaths in
children under five and is the major cause of otitis media (ear aches) in the US
and Europe. Hence, there is a real need for an effective vaccine against this
pathogen.
Professor Roy Curtiss and colleagues at Arizona State
University’s Biodesign Institute have developed four robust attenuated
Salmonella vaccine strains capable of preventing infection by Streptococcus
pneumoniae. These live vaccines are safe and suitable for oral delivery to
humans. These vaccine strains are capable of withstanding the biological
stresses and natural defenses imposed by human hosts, allowing them to invade
host gut lymphoid tissues thereby stimulating a strong, protective immune
response.
Potential Applications
- Human vaccination to prevent pneumonia and ear
infections
Benefits and Advantages
- Robust vaccine
- Easy to administer
- Easy to be transported
Download Original PDF
For more information about the inventor(s) and their
research, please see
Dr.
Curtiss' directory webpage
Dr.
Curtiss' departmental webpage
