A vaccine that can be administered as a spray to the nose to fight chlamydia would soon be available, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Vaccine. 113 million people are affected each year by this STI, which left untreated can cause sterility.
Scientists at McMaster University in Canada have identified important new antigens that could be used in a vaccine against chlamydia. The BD584 antigen was successful in eliminating 95% of the bacteria. For example, it reduced hydrosalpinx by 87.5%, the presence of a bag containing fluid in a fallopian tube, which can lead to sterility. This vaccine will be administered easily through the nose and painlessly without requiring the action of health professionals.
A vaccine in the form of a nasal spray to fight against chlamydia
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the often asymptomatic Chlamydia bacteria, which complicates the diagnosis. It mainly affects young men and women under 25 and is responsible, when not treated by a simple antibiotic treatment, for 50% of female infertility. The development of a vaccine would be an essential therapeutic advance.
“The efforts to develop a vaccine against chlamydia over the past three decades have been unproductive and there is no vaccine approved for use in humans,” explained David Bulir, doctor of medical sciences at McMaster University and study author.
“This vaccine could protect against all diseases linked to the bacteria” chlamydia trachomatis “, including trachoma (eye disease which causes blindness)” explain the researchers.
If the results of this study are promising, the researchers will test the effectiveness of the vaccine with different strains of the bacteria.
Read also:
Chlamydial infections: the importance of screening
Sexo: how to make sex with a condom pleasant?
STIs: what are the risks of transmission according to sexual practices?
