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Quantifying Vibrio cholerae Colonization and Diarrhea in the Adult Zebrafish Model
Published on: July 12, 2018
Vibrio cholerae vaccines
1Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201.
Abstract:
Several approaches to the development of a safe and effective vaccine against Vibrio cholerae are currently being pursued. These candidate vaccines include (1) live V. cholerae strains attenuated by recombinant DNA techniques; (2) killed whole V. cholerae organisms plus purified cholera enterotoxin B subunit; and (3) cloned V. cholerae antigens in a Salmonella carrier strain. The first two approaches have been the most extensively studied in clinical trials, and all three types of vaccines are administered orally to maximize the stimulation of mucosal immunity. The live attenuated vaccine CVD103-HgR is inexpensive and was effective after a single dose but caused mild diarrhea in 4% of vaccinees. The killed whole cell plus B subunit vaccine is safe but requires the administration of multiple doses. The strong protective immunity conferred by the disease and the rapid progress recently achieved in vaccine development offer encouragement that a successful vaccine will soon be available.
Insights
Developing safe and effective cholera vaccines is ongoing. Promising approaches include live attenuated, killed whole cell plus B subunit, and cloned antigens, with oral administration enhancing mucosal immunity.
Area of Science:
- Vaccinology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cholera remains a significant global health threat, necessitating effective preventive strategies.
- Current vaccine development focuses on eliciting robust mucosal immunity against Vibrio cholerae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and evaluate current approaches for developing safe and effective cholera vaccines.
- To assess the progress and challenges in cholera vaccine research.
Main Methods:
- Review of candidate cholera vaccines including live attenuated strains, killed whole cells with enterotoxin B subunit, and cloned antigens.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for efficacy and safety of oral cholera vaccines.
- Evaluation of immune stimulation at the mucosal level.
Main Results:
- Live attenuated vaccine (CVD103-HgR) showed single-dose efficacy but caused mild diarrhea in 4% of recipients.
- Killed whole cell plus B subunit vaccine is safe but requires multiple doses for effectiveness.
- Oral administration is key for stimulating mucosal immunity.
Conclusions:
- Multiple promising cholera vaccine candidates are under investigation.
- While challenges remain, progress in vaccine development offers hope for future availability of effective cholera vaccines.
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