BACKGROUND
Bacterial species belonging to the genus Salmonella are the leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide, inducing approximately 1.2 million illnesses, 23,000 hospitalizations, and 450 deaths in the U.S. annually. Unfortunately, researchers have encountered several roadblocks in the quest for a safe, effective means of treating or preventing Salmonella infections: â?¢ Large scale monitoring for Salmonella in food products is impracticable â?¢ Rising antimicrobial resistance is making treatment of Salmonella infections increasingly problematic â?¢ Current vaccines, containing live-attenuated (weakened) bacteria, are either ineffective or are too dangerous for at-risk populations (children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised) â?¢ Current vaccines are only protective against an individual species of Salmonella but are unlikely to protect against the large number of Salmonella subspecies.
SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY
OSU researchers have created a defined subunit (protein-based) vaccine candidate that, through animal testing of mice and calves, has been shown to reduce the length and severity of a Salmonella typhimurium infection. In comparison to current live-attenuated vaccines, the new vaccine candidate is less likely to cause infection or any other adverse reaction. It also has the potential to become a broad spectrum vaccine against multiple Salmonella species.
POTENTIAL AREAS OF APPLICATION
- Effective vaccine against Salmonella typhimurium
- Potential vaccine against multiple Salmonella species which cause gastroenteritis
MAIN ADVANTAGES OF TECHNOLOGY
- Reduces the severity and length of gastroenteritis
- Less likely to cause adverse reaction than live, attenuated vaccines
- Reduces production costs
STATE OF DEVELOPMENT
Proof of concept stage.
LICENSING CONTACT
Please contact otc@okstate.edu for more information.