Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. At our company, we are committed to contributing to this vital effort, leveraging our deep expertise, cutting-edge technologies, and collaborative partnerships to drive the development of next-generation gonorrhea vaccines and therapies.
Introduction to Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This gram-negative diplococcus primarily infects the urogenital tract, but can also colonize the rectal and oropharyngeal mucosa. In men, gonorrhea typically manifests as urethritis, while women often develop asymptomatic cervicitis. If left untreated, gonorrheal infections can lead to severe complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Additionally, gonorrhea can increase the risk of HIV transmission and acquisition.
Fig. 1 The infection, transmission, and host immune regulation process of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. (Haese E. C., et al., 2021)
Vaccine Development for Gonorrhea
The remarkable adaptability and flexibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae have enabled the bacterium to evade the host's immune defenses and develop resistance to multiple classes of antimicrobials. This has made the identification of suitable vaccine targets and the elicitation of a protective immune response particularly difficult. Despite these obstacles, researchers have made significant strides in understanding the complex pathogenesis of gonorrhea and exploring various vaccine strategies.
Table 1 Development status of current vaccine candidates. (Vincent Leah R., et al., 2019)
| Candidate Name/Identifier |
Description |
Status |
| 2C7 epitope mimetic with MAP1 adjuvant |
Decreased infection duration and bacterial load in murine models; triggered the production of bactericidal antibodies and Th1 responses; passive protection with anti-2C7 monoclonal antibodies. |
Preclinical |
| OMV given with IL-12 |
Decreased infection duration and bacterial load in murine models exposed to both similar and different strains; elicited Th1 responses, as well as IgG and IgA antibodies in serum and vaginal samples; protection contingent on INF-γ and B cells. |
Preclinical |
| rrPorB-VRP (viral replication particle vector) boosted with rrPorB + Ribi-700 |
Diminished infection duration in murine models and elicited a skewed Th1 immune response. |
Preclinical |
| TbpA, TbpB |
Triggered the production of bactericidal antibodies and antibodies that inhibit the growth of N. gonorrhoeae when utilizing human transferrin as the exclusive iron source. |
Preclinical |
| AniA |
Stimulated the production of bactericidal antibodies and antibodies that inhibit the activity of AniA nitrite reductase. |
Preclinical |
| MetQ |
Induced bactericidal antibodies and antibodies that block gonococcal adherence to epithelial cells |
Preclinical |
| MtrE |
Induced bactericidal antibodies |
Preclinical |
| MeNZB vaccine |
A prospective study in adolescents and adults 15-30 years old; predicts 33% efficacy against gonorrhea |
Clinical |
Therapeutics Development for Gonorrhea
Antimicrobial Resistance
The rise of multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae strains has heightened the urgency for new therapeutic options. Traditional first-line therapeutics, such as ceftriaxone and azithromycin, are becoming less effective, prompting the exploration of alternative antimicrobials.
Novel Antimicrobials
New antimicrobials, such as solithromycin, zoliflodacin, and gepotidacin, are under investigation. These compounds target different aspects of bacterial metabolism and have shown promise in clinical trials. However, issues such as cross-resistance with existing drugs and variable efficacy against different strains have been observed.
Our Services
With extensive experience, our company provides comprehensive R&D services to support the advancement of gonorrhea vaccines and therapeutic solutions. Our team is composed of experienced scientists and experts, using cutting-edge technologies and an in-depth understanding of diseases to drive innovation and accelerate the R&D efficiency of pharmaceutical companies.
- Lower Reproductive Tract (LRT) Infection Murine Models
- Upper Reproductive Tract (URT) Infection Models
- Estradiol-treated Female Mouse Models
- Male Urethritis Models
- Female Cervicitis Models
By working closely with our clients, we are poised to make a tangible impact in the fight against this persistent and evolving disease. If our services have piqued your interest, we warmly welcome you to reach out to us for further information and to obtain a detailed quotation for the services you require.
References
- Haese Ethan C., Van C. Thai, and Charlene M. Kahler. "Vaccine candidates for the control and prevention of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea." Vaccines 9.7 (2021): 804.
- Vincent, Leah R., and Ann E. Jerse. "Biological feasibility and importance of a gonorrhea vaccine for global public health." Vaccine 37.50 (2019): 7419-7426.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
