Chlamydia Vaccine

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Chlamydias are major disease causing agents of infection affecting over 92 million individuals worldwide. McMaster researchers have evaluated novel Chlamydial proteins as immunogens in animal models for their ability to induce a protective immune response. Abstract Chlamydias are major disease causing agents of infection in both humans and animals. Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial disease with 1999 projections by the World Health Organization suggesting that over 92 million individuals are infected worldwide. Genital tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is an escalating global public health concern causing considerable morbidity and socioeconomic burden worldwide. Although antibiotics are used to treat symptomatic urogenital infections, chlamydial infection remains asymptomatic in approximately 50% of infected men and 70% of infected women contributing to horizontal transmission between sexual partners. McMaster researchers have evaluated novel Chlamydial proteins as immunogens in animal models for their ability to induce a protective immune response.  Results indicate that these proteins are suitable candidates for a vaccine formulation. Applications Recombinant proteins may be used alone or in combination with other known Chlamydial proteins in a novel vaccine. Advantage Definitive infection control of chlamydial infections will likely be achievable through a safe and efficacious vaccine.  There is no commercially available vaccine for the prevention of Chlamydia infections in human. Results indicate that administering an effective amount of a novel recombinant Chlamydia protein, alone or in combination, induce an immune response that is protective against a live Chlamydia challenge. Tech ID 12-028 Inventor J. Mahony Patent Status PCT filed Stage of Research In vitro and in vivo data available.