A novel nasal vaccine for whooping cough has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing both infection and the spread of the disease in mice. Unlike current vaccines that provide treatment, they do not stop the transmission of the bacteria responsible for the illness.
With the rise in whooping cough cases in the U.S., a new nasal vaccine created by Tulane University could be pivotal in minimizing the spread of this highly infectious respiratory illness.
Traditional pertussis vaccines are commonly used and effectively prevent whooping cough, which is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. However, these vaccines do not eliminate bacteria from the upper respiratory tract, which means that even those who have been vaccinated can still spread the disease.
The new vaccine merges conventional pertussis antigens with an innovative booster named T-vant, which enhances the immune response specifically in the respiratory system. In a study published in npj Vaccines, mice that were given the T-vant vaccine through their nasal passages showed no signs of bacteria in their lungs and nasopharynx—an area at the back of the nose—three weeks post-infection. In contrast, the bacteria persisted in the upper respiratory tracts of mice that received the traditional vaccine via injection.
Lead author of the study, Lisa Morici, who is a professor of microbiology and immunology at Tulane University School of Medicine, stated, “By creating a vaccine that not only protects individuals but also curbs transmission, we aim to improve upon existing vaccines and reduce the spread of whooping cough within communities.”
The T-vant adjuvant is made from tiny particles known as bacterial outer membrane vesicles which naturally activate the immune system. The research discovered that this adjuvant promotes a mucosal immune response, triggering immune cells in the respiratory tract that are essential for preventing bacteria colonization.
The study also reported no negative effects on lung tissue after immunization, demonstrating the vaccine’s safety.
This research is particularly important given the current surge in whooping cough cases. Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that U.S. cases have increased five-fold compared to last year. Approximately 24 million individuals globally are affected by the disease each year, especially infants and those with weakened immune systems.
James McLachlan, a co-author of the study and associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Tulane School of Medicine, noted that a successful vaccine capable of preventing infection and transmission in humans could set the stage for completely eradicating the disease.
“These results highlight the urgent need for better vaccines that do more than just protect individuals,” McLachlan expressed. “We require vaccines that can efficiently curb the spread of the bacteria in communities, and this new strategy represents a promising advancement in that direction.”
T-vant was developed with the assistance of the NIH Adjuvant Development Program.
