according to Economic Development Center Data (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) More than 4 million per yearPatients in the European Union acquire hospital-acquired infections. This resulted in approximately 37,000 deaths and indirectly contributed to the deaths of another 110,000 people.In Spain, 6 out of 100 patients are sent to centers They leave the hospital with infections they didn’t enter the hospital with.What happens if the patient is vaccinated before or after they arrive at the hospital? can protect them from these bacteria?
That’s the premise behind an experimental vaccine developed by a team of scientists led by Brad Spellberg and patented by the University of Southern California. The authors of the study, Published in Science, formulated to prevent serious infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens. The results showed that a single dose in a mouse model sent immune cells into “Hulk” mode, providing rapid protection against eight different bacteria and fungi.
In many cases, the infection is caused by so-called superbugs, such as MRSA (short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) or Acinetobacter baumannii. The infection is spread through contaminated surfaces or equipment, such as catheters or ventilators, or from person to person, often through contaminated hands.he Intensive care unit patients at higher risk People who may have surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia.
A typical vaccine usually causes the body to produce antibodies against a specific pathogen. Despite the high incidence of healthcare-acquired infections, There is currently no FDA-approved vaccine. Prevent the most serious antibiotic-resistant infections.
“Even if such a vaccine existed, multiple vaccines would have to be deployed simultaneously Protect against various antibiotic-resistant microorganisms explains Brian Luna, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology and one of the study’s authors.
Experimental vaccines take an approach Completely different from what has been known so far: Utilizes the body’s pre-existing pathogen-eating immune cells (called macrophages) to engulf and digest bacteria, fungi, and other harmful organisms. These “soldiers”, present in all tissues, are able to quickly eliminate invaders that might otherwise multiply rapidly and overwhelm the body’s defenses.
“It’s an early warning system. It’s like the Department of Homeland Security issuing a terrorist alert: Keep your eyes open for suspicious packages,” Spellberg said. “You’re alerting soldiers and tanks to your immune system, and with this vaccine will activate them. This is very different from developing new antibiotics. It’s about Harnessing our own immune systems to fight different superbugs, which is a different approach than others. ”
The vaccine consists of only three ingredients; Two of these have been used in FDA-approved vaccines. The third ingredient is a small surface patch of fungus commonly found on human skin.
The vaccine was tested in two independent laboratories, takes effect within 24 hours and is effective for up to 28 days.In laboratory models, the number of immune cells that engulf pathogens increases dramatically in the blood, and Improve survival time from invasive infections blood and lungs. Early data suggests the second dose of the vaccine can extend the window of protection against infection.
The next step is to obtain guidance from the FDA on the requirements for completing preclinical studies and submitting an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) in 2024. The first trial of this type will be conducted on healthy volunteers Finding the right dose of the vaccine is both safe and triggers the same type of immune response in humans as it does in mice.