Development of a vaccine strategy based on colonization factors of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) administered with B. subtilis spores for control of diarrhea

• Grant number: 13/10007-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Luis Carlos de Souza Ferreira
• Grantee: Adriano Prado Pontes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The main objective of this project is the development of mucosal vaccines aimed at controlling infections associated with ETEC strains, one of the main etiologic agents of childhood diarrhea and traveler's diarrhea. Based formulations will be tested fimbriae purified and its subunit adhesive located in the apical region of the fimbriae. The vaccines are being tested plus two mucosal adjuvants, first, a nontoxic derivative of heat-labile toxin (LT) also produced by ETEC strains and, second, B. subtilis spores coadministered or adsorbed. The formulations are administered vaccines in mice by mucosal route, and the presence of specific antibodies is measured in samples of serum and mucosal extract (fecal and milk). The protective efficacy of antibodies generated will be determined in vitro for the ability to neutralize the adhesive properties of strains of ETEC. The work also provides the use of an animal model, based on neonatal mice, as a correlate of protection conferred by the vaccine against ETEC strains derived from human hosts. The results to be obtained should contribute to the development of new formulations vaccines against diarrhea associated with ETEC infections for clinical use and/or veterinarian. (AU)