Bacterial infections have a significant impact on public health. Diseases can occur at any part of the body and can be caused either by the pathogen itself or by the body's response to its presence. At our company, we are at the forefront of vaccine development services, employing cutting-edge technologies and expertise to combat bacterial infections.
Overview of Bacterial Infections
Bacterial pathogenesis occurs when the usual harmonious coexistence of bacteria and host cells in healthy individuals is disrupted. These infections typically arise when bacteria move from regions with an established microbiota, such as the mucosal linings of the nose, mouth, intestines, and urethra, to sites where colonization is uncommon, such as the lungs, pancreas, blood, brain, bladder, and kidneys. As infectious microorganisms emerge and have the ability to evolve, it is crucial to develop diagnostic tools that can quickly adapt to these changes. This rapid evolution in diagnostics is necessary to effectively address the ongoing challenges posed by these pathogens.
Fig.1 Structure of a bacterium. (Doron, S., Gorbach, S. L., 2008)
Diagnostic Tests of Bacterial Infections
- Traditional Microbiological Methods
Bacterial infection detection primarily relied on growing pathogens in cell cultures and using biochemical methods to identify strains and species. While cost-effective and specific, these methods are time-consuming and often lack sensitivity.
- Molecular Methods
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other nucleic acid amplification technologies have revolutionized infectious disease diagnostics by significantly reducing the time to obtain a diagnosis (from days to hours). Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and isothermal amplification methods, such as LAMP and NASBA, can identify pathogens without prior cultivation. consuming and often lack sensitivity.
- Point-of-Care (POC) Technologies
Developments in POC diagnostics aim to create rapid, easy-to-use, and inexpensive tests suitable for both developed and resource-limited settings. LFIA and microfluidic systems, incorporating techniques like RT-PCR and isothermal amplification, show promise for rapid and accurate pathogen detection.
Fig.2 Typical timeframes required for techniques in current use for the diagnosis of bacterial infections. (Rentschler, S., et al., 2021)
Vaccine Development for Bacterial Infections
- Live attenuated Vaccine: Smallpox, rabies, tuberculosis (BCG), yellow fever, polio (OPV), measles, mumps, rubella, typhoid, varicella, rotavirus, influenza (cold adapted), zoster.
- Inactivated-Vaccine: Typhoid, cholera, plague, pertussis, influenza, typhus, polio (IPV), rabies, Japanese encephalitis, tick‐born encephalitis, hepatitis A.
- Toxoid Vaccine: Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, anthrax, influenza subunit.
- Polysaccharide Vaccine: Pneumococcus, meningococcus, Haemophilus influenzae B, typhoid (Vi)
- Glycoconjugate: Haemophilus influenzae B; pneumococcus (7, 10, and 13 valent), meningococcus C, meningococcus ACWY
- Recombinant: Hepatitis B, cholera toxin B, human papillomavirus; meningococcus B; hepatitis E.
Therapeutic Development for Bacterial Infections
The global issue of drug resistance, the scarcity of new drugs for treating infections caused by the most resistant pathogens, and the scientific difficulties in discovering and developing new antibiotics have motivated researchers to seek innovative methods for treating bacterial infections.
Immunomodulatory Therapy
Host-directed immunomodulatory therapies offer a promising approach by enhancing the host's natural immune responses to fight infections while reducing inflammation-related tissue damage. Key strategies include the use of innate defense regulator peptides and agonists of innate immune components like Toll-like receptors and NOD-like receptors.
Phage Therapy
Recent dramatic increases in infections with MDR bacterial strains are driving new interest in Phage therapy, which uses bacteriophages to target and kill specific bacterial infections, offering a promising alternative to antibiotics, especially against multidrug-resistant strains. They specifically target bacteria without infecting human cells or disrupting normal microbial flora.
Anti-virulence Therapy
Anti-virulence strategies focus on disarming pathogenic bacteria by targeting their virulence factors, rather than killing them outright. These strategies include the use of chemical inhibitors and antibodies to neutralize toxins and inhibit bacterial secretion systems. Moreover, anti-virulence therapy potentially more sustainable than traditional antibiotics.
Our Services
The development of therapies and vaccines for bacterial infections is an intricate and rigorous process that requires scientific expertise, regulatory compliance, and extensive testing. Our company specializes in providing comprehensive therapy and vaccine development services, tailored to address the unique challenges posed by different pathogens.
Types of Bacterial Infections
Why Choose Us?
The field of therapeutic approaches for bacterial infections is continually advancing, with new technologies presenting promising opportunities for innovation and enhancement. At our company, we leverage these advancements to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of vaccines. If our extensive array of services interests you, we strongly encourage you to contact us without hesitation.
References
- Doron, S., Gorbach, S. L., "Bacterial Infections: Overview." International Encyclopedia of Public Health, (2008). 273–282.
- Rentschler, S., et al., "Emerging Options for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Infections and the Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance." Int J Mol Sci, (2021). 22(1).
- Hauser, A.R., et al., "Beyond Antibiotics: New Therapeutic Approaches for Bacterial Infections." Clin Infect Dis, (2016). 63(1): p. 89-95.
- Theuret Bacher, U. and Piddock, L.J.V., "Non-traditional Antibacterial Therapeutic Options and Challenges." Cell Host Microbe, (2019). 26(1): p. 61-72.
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only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
