“The first large clinical trial of a vaccine against enterotoxigenic E. coli—a leading cause of travelers’ diarrhea and severe childhood diarrhea—has shown promising results. In a study of nearly 5,000 infants in Gambia, the experimental vaccine reduced dangerous diarrhea and produced no serious side effects,” notes the Doomslayer.
Scientific American reports:
Infections from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) bacteria are the most common cause of travelers’ diarrhea, and they commonly cause childhood diarrhea in low-income regions. In children below the age of five, whose immune systems are still developing, the infections can lead to malnourishment; they cause up to 42,000 deaths annually. Soon there may be a vaccine to protect against these infections.
In the Lancet Infectious Diseases last month, scientists shared the results of the first study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an ETEC-controlling vaccine in a large pediatric population in Gambia. The vaccine—called ETVAX—is among several in development to reduce ETEC infections in both adults and children. ETVAX provided immunity against the pathogens and did not have any adverse side effects.
ETEC bacteria have “adhesin” proteins that enable them to attach themselves to the intestinal mucosa. The bacteria then release toxins, which lead to watery diarrhea and abdominal cramping. In low-income countries, a lack of access to sanitation and clean drinking water increases the risk of E. coli infections, resulting in more childhood fatalities and higher health care costs.
A cancer researcher brewed a beer that is also a vaccine.
A vaccine has been developed for a deadly disease spread by bats.
Scientists have also developed a rabies vaccine for vampire bats that spreads through grooming: “The vaccine is delivered via a gel applied to one bat’s fur. When others groom it, they ingest the gel and gain immunity. Laboratory studies show this method could effectively protect entire colonies.”
22 nations have eliminated measles and rubella by vaccinating their populations at rates of over 90%. “Measles vaccination has saved 94 million lives globally since 1974. Of those, 92 million were children”, says Our World in Data.
A vaccine to save koalas from chlamydia was recently approved. That disease has killed tens of thousands of koalas.
