A new nasal vaccine being developed by Australian scientists could provide long-term protection from the deadly bacteria Strep A.
The jab, developed by scientists at Griffin University, is currently being tested in Phase I clinical trials.
Strep A causes 700 million human infections each year and there are more than 500,000 deaths globally.
While the vast majority of Strep A infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause serious and life-threatening invasive Group A Streptococcal disease (iGAS).
Strep A can also cause scarlet fever, strep throat and the skin infection impetigo.
Lead author Dr Victoria Ozberk said studies have shown most pathogens enter or colonise via the soft tissue in the upper respiratory tract, which acts as a “highway to the rest of the body”.
The new jab works by targeting the upper respiratory tract with a chemical compound called 3D(6-acyl) PHAD (PHAD), which is administered via the nasal passage. PHAD helps to induce immunity to Strep A infection.
Dr Ozberk said the Strep A jab had the potential to be a “world-first” as there are no vaccines that target the upper respiratory tract due to a lack of licensed immunostimulants, drugs which activate the immune system.
Immunity conferred by the vaccine lasts for at least a year, researchers said. The jab is expectedly to rapidly progress to Phase II trials.
Associate Professor Pandey said that PHAD could induce immunity which lasts for at least one year after vaccination.
“The longevity of immune response is a critical hallmark of successful vaccination and therefore the findings from this study are highly significant.”
Immunity to Strep A takes several years to develop and there is currently no vaccine available.
Last year, scientists in the UK recommended the use of the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) to help reduce Strep A infections.
A study by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found that rates of Strep A were lower in areas where the LAIV, a nasal spray, was offered to all primary-age children.
