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Published on: February 10, 2023
Campylobacter vaccination reduces diarrheal disease and infant growth stunting among rhesus macaques
Sara M Hendrickson1, Archana Thomas1, Hans-Peter Raué1
1Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA.
Insights
Campylobacter vaccination significantly reduced infant mortality from diarrhea by 76% and improved growth, offering a potential intervention for infant stunting.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Campylobacter-associated enteric disease causes millions of annual gastroenteritis cases.
- This disease is a significant factor in infant growth stunting, particularly in areas with poor sanitation.
- Rhesus macaques provide a relevant model for studying Campylobacter-associated diarrhea and its impact on infant development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a Campylobacter vaccine in reducing severe diarrheal disease in infants.
- To determine if vaccination can mitigate infant growth stunting associated with Campylobacter infection.
- To assess the impact of vaccination on infant mortality rates related to diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted using rhesus macaques as a model for Campylobacter-associated diarrhea.
- Infant macaques were vaccinated against Campylobacter, and outcomes were compared to unvaccinated controls.
- Mortality rates, incidence of diarrhea, and linear growth (Length-for-Age Z score) were measured.
Main Results:
- Vaccinated infant macaques showed no deaths associated with Campylobacter diarrhea.
- All-cause diarrhea-associated infant mortality was reduced by 76% in the vaccinated group (P=0.03).
- Vaccinated infants exhibited a 1.3 cm increase in dorsal length by 9 months, translating to a significant 1.28 LAZ score improvement (P=0.001).
Conclusions:
- Campylobacter vaccination is effective in reducing severe diarrheal disease and associated mortality in infants.
- Vaccination demonstrates potential as an intervention to improve infant linear growth trajectories.
- This study highlights the dual benefit of Campylobacter vaccination in combating infectious disease and promoting healthy development.
Abstract:
Campylobacter-associated enteric disease is estimated to be responsible for more than 160 million cases of gastroenteritis each year and is linked to growth stunting of infants living under conditions of poor sanitation and hygiene. Here, we examine naturally occurring Campylobacter-associated diarrhea among rhesus macaques as a model to determine if vaccination could reduce severe diarrheal disease and infant growth stunting. Compared to unvaccinated controls, there are no Campylobacter diarrhea-associated deaths observed among vaccinated infant macaques and all-cause diarrhea-associated infant mortality is decreased by 76% (P = 0.03). By 9 months of age, there is a 1.3 cm increase in dorsal length that equaled a significant 1.28 LAZ (Length-for-Age Z score) improvement in linear growth among vaccinated infants compared to their unvaccinated counterparts (P = 0.001). In this work, we show that Campylobacter vaccination not only reduces diarrheal disease but also potentially serves as an effective intervention that improves infant growth trajectories.
