Oral Vaccines against Diarrhoea

A drinkable vaccine against diarrhoea causing bacteria is soon a reality, according to the Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg.

Researchers at the institute have developed a vaccine against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, one of the leading causes of diarrhoea in undeveloped nations, as well as among travellers. It has the potential to help millions of people around the world, say the researchers.

The researchers tested the vaccine on 129 healthy people. Three out four of the vaccine recipients responded to all five of the primary vaccine components. In addition, 85 per cent of subjects who received the vaccine co-administered with an adjuvant showed significant immune responses to all vaccine components.

The vaccine was also proven to be safe with few and mild side effects, say the researchers. Clinical trials are now planned in the future.

Each year the Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli causes around 400 million cases of diarrhoea, of which around 300,000 are fatal. The majority of those affected are under 5 year of age, according to the Sahlgrenska Academy.