Tularemia is an infectious disease caused by the highly virulent bacterium Francisella tularensis, a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular pathogen that poses significant public health risks. Our company offers a robust portfolio of vaccine and therapy development services tailored to address the complexities of tularemia.
Introduction to Tularemia
Tularemia is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which is classified as a highly pathogenic organism due to its virulence and potential as a bioweapon. This zoonotic disease can affect both humans and a wide range of animal species, particularly rodents and lagomorphs. Transmission occurs through various routes, including direct contact with infected animals, bites from infected arthropods, inhalation of contaminated aerosols, or ingestion of contaminated water or food.
Fig.1 Waterborne form of tularemia. (Hennebique A., et al., 2019)
The global incidence of tularemia has been on the rise, particularly in endemic regions. In Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported 641 confirmed cases in 2020, while the United States has documented nearly 2,000 cases from 2011 to 2019. The mortality rate can reach up to 30% in untreated cases of acute type A pneumonia, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines and therapies.
Vaccine Development for Tularemia
Live Attenuated Vaccines
Live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) represent an important approach in the development of tularemia vaccines. These vaccines utilize a weakened form of F. tularensis that retains its ability to induce an immune response without causing disease. Research has demonstrated that LAVs can provide robust protection against tularemia in animal models, showcasing the potential for inducing both humoral and cellular immunity.
Inactivated Vaccines
Inactivated vaccines consist of killed bacteria that cannot replicate but can still provoke an immune response. F. tularensis can be inactivated using heat or chemical agents, and such vaccines have shown promise in preclinical studies. However, their efficacy may not be as high as that of live attenuated versions. The challenge lies in formulating the vaccine to ensure sufficient immunogenicity while maintaining safety.
Subunit Vaccines
Subunit vaccines, which use specific antigens derived from the bacterium, are gaining attention in tularemia vaccine development. These vaccines can present carefully selected proteins that elicit strong immune responses without the risks associated with whole-pathogen vaccines. For instance, research has identified outer membrane proteins and virulence factors as potential candidates for antigenic components.
DNA Vaccines
DNA vaccination is an innovative approach that involves delivering plasmid DNA encoding specific F. tularensis antigens into host cells, prompting an immune response. This technology has shown promise in preclinical studies, with advantages such as stability and the ability to induce both humoral and cellular immunity. However, further research is needed to optimize delivery methods and assess the long-term efficacy of DNA vaccines against tularemia.
Therapeutics Development for Tularemia
The standard therapeutics for tularemia rely heavily on antibiotic therapy. Aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin and streptomycin, are the gold standard for severe cases, while tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones are effective for mild to moderate infections. The challenge lies in the variability of therapeutic success, particularly in cases presenting with complications or those treated later in the disease course. Research continues to seek more effective antibiotic regimens and combinations to enhance outcomes.
Our company provides professional, one-stop tularemia drug and therapy development services to help global pharmaceutical companies. You can click on the link below to learn more.
Our Services
Our company provides a comprehensive range of services for the development of vaccines and therapies. This includes expertise in identifying and validating novel antigens, optimizing vaccine formulations, and conducting preclinical research to assess safety and efficacy.
- Mouse (AKR/J, BALB/c and C57BL/6) Infection Models
- Rat Models
- Rabbit Models
- Guinea Pig Models
- Primate Models
Route of infections: intraperitoneal, intradermal, subcutaneous, and aerosol
By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies, our company aims to accelerate the development timeline and enhance the quality of tularemia therapeutics. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Hennebique, Aurélie, Sandrine Boisset, and Max Maurin. "Tularemia as a waterborne disease: a review." Emerging microbes & infections 8.1 (2019): 1027-1042.
- Sunagar, Raju, et al. "Tularemia vaccine development: paralysis or progress?." Vaccine: development and therapy (2016): 9-23.
- Maurin, Max, et al. "Tularemia treatment: experimental and clinical data." Frontiers in Microbiology 14 (2024): 1348323.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
