Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Enrichment of Native and Recombinant Extracellular Vesicles of Mycobacteria
06:38

Enrichment of Native and Recombinant Extracellular Vesicles of Mycobacteria

Published on: December 8, 2023

A naturally derived outer-membrane vesicle vaccine protects against lethal pulmonary Burkholderia pseudomallei

Wildaliz Nieves1, Saja Asakrah, Omar Qazi

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.

Vaccine
|August 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from Burkholderia pseudomallei offer significant protection against lethal infection. This OMV-based vaccine platform demonstrates species-specific immunity and potential for other intracellular pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Bacteriology
  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Burkholderia pseudomallei is a highly antibiotic-resistant bacterium causing severe infections with high mortality rates.
  • Current treatments for B. pseudomallei infections are often insufficient, necessitating alternative protective strategies.
  • A vaccine is crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality in endemic regions and protect against potential biological threats.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from B. pseudomallei as a potential vaccine.
  • To assess the humoral and cellular immune responses induced by B. pseudomallei OMVs.
  • To determine the species specificity of the OMV-mediated immune response.

Main Methods:

  • Subcutaneous immunization of BALB/c mice with B. pseudomallei-derived OMVs.
  • Exposure to a lethal aerosol challenge of B. pseudomallei.
  • Assessment of serum antibody levels and T-cell memory responses.
  • Comparative immunization with Escherichia coli-derived OMVs to evaluate species specificity.

Main Results:

  • Subcutaneous immunization with B. pseudomallei OMVs conferred significant protection against a lethal aerosol challenge.
  • Immunized mice developed OMV-specific serum antibody and T-cell memory responses.
  • Immunity induced by B. pseudomallei OMVs was found to be species-specific, with no cross-reactivity observed with E. coli OMVs.

Conclusions:

  • B. pseudomallei-derived OMVs represent a promising non-living vaccine formulation for inducing protective humoral and cellular immunity.
  • OMVs provide a safe, inexpensive, and effective immunization strategy against B. pseudomallei aerosol infection.
  • This OMV vaccine platform has potential applications for other intracellular respiratory pathogens, including other Burkholderia species.

More Related Videos

A "Plug-And-Display" Nanoparticle Vaccine Platform Based on Outer Membrane Vesicles Displaying SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Domain08:07

A "Plug-And-Display" Nanoparticle Vaccine Platform Based on Outer Membrane Vesicles Displaying SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Domain

Published on: July 25, 2022

Simplified Whole Body Plethysmography to Characterize Lung Function During Respiratory Melioidosis07:27

Simplified Whole Body Plethysmography to Characterize Lung Function During Respiratory Melioidosis

Published on: February 24, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Inhalation Anthrax01:25

Inhalation Anthrax

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium. It primarily affects herbivorous animals but can be transmitted to humans through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of spores.Cutaneous anthrax, the most common form, typically results from direct contact with bacterial spores through skin abrasions and is generally less severe. Gastrointestinal anthrax results from eating undercooked or contaminated meat. It affects the mouth, throat, or...
Vaccine Production01:23

Vaccine Production

Vaccine production involves a sequence of upstream and downstream processes to generate a safe and effective immunological product. It begins with cultivating microorganisms, such as viruses or bacteria, to obtain antigenic material. For viral vaccines, mammalian host cells are grown in bioreactors and subsequently infected with the target virus. The virus replicates within the host cells, which are lysed to release viral particles. This lysate is then clarified through filtration or...