Researchers develop promising oral vaccine against Salmonella

Researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have developed an oral vaccine against Salmonella the bacteria responsible for one of the most common food-borne illnesses in the world.

Most people infected with Salmonella bacteria develop diarrohea, fever, and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after infection, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"In the current study, we analysed the immune responses of mice that received the vaccination by mouth as well as how they responded to a lethal dose of salmonella," said Ashok Chopra, Professor at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

"We found that the orally administered vaccines produced strong immunity against salmonella, showing their potential for future use in people," Chopra noted.

Currently, antibiotics are the first choice in treating salmonella infections, but the fact that some strains of salmonella are quickly developing antibiotic resistance is a serious concern.

In earlier studies, the researchers developed potential vaccines from three genetically mutated versions of the salmonella bacteria, that is Salmonella Typhimurium, that were shown to protect mice against a lethal dose of salmonella.

In these studies, the vaccines were given as an injection. However, oral vaccination is simplest and least invasive way to protect people against salmonella infection.

Taking this vaccine by mouth also has the added advantage of using the same pathway that salmonella uses to wreak havoc on the digestive system. The findings were detailed in an article published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.