Photo by mohamed hassan form PxHere
A world-first trial has shown that nose drops of modified ‘friendly’ bacteria protect against meningitis.
Led by Professor Robert Read and Dr Jay Laver from the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and the University of Southampton, the work is the first of its kind.
Together they inserted a gene into a harmless type of a bacteria, that allows it to remain in the nose and trigger an immune response. They then introduced these bacteria into the noses of healthy volunteers via nose drops.
The results, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, showed a strong immune response against bacteria that cause meningitis and long-lasting protection.
Protecting against meningitis
Meningitis occurs in people of all age groups but affects mainly infants, young children and the elderly. Meningococcal meningitis, is a bacterial form of the disease, causing 1,500 cases a year in the UK. It can lead to death in as little as four hours after symptoms start.
Around 10% of adults carry N. meningitidis in the back of their nose and throat with no signs or symptoms. However, in some people it can invade the bloodstream. That can lead to life-threatening conditions including meningitis and blood poisoning (‘septicaemia).
The ‘friendly’ bacteria Neisseria lactamica (N. lactamica) also lives in some people’s noses naturally. By occupying the nose, it protects from a severe type of meningitis. It does so by denying a foothold to its close cousin Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis).
Enhanced immune response
The new data build on the team’s previous work aiming to exploit this natural phenomenon. That study showed nose drops of N. lactamica prevented N. meningitidis from settling in 60% of participants.
For those people, N. lactamica had locked out its deadly cousin. That drove work to make N. lactamica even more effective in displacing N. meningitidis.
The team did so by handing it one of N. meningitidis’ key weapons; a ‘sticky’ surface protein that grips the cells lining the nose. By inserting a copy of the gene for this protein into N. lactamica’s DNA, it could produce it too – levelling the playing field.
As well as inducing a stronger immune response, those modified bacteria stayed longer. Present for at least 28 days, with most participants (86%) still carrying it at 90 days, it caused no adverse symptoms.
The results of the study, which was funded by the Medical Research Council, are promising for this new way of preventing life-threatening infections, without drugs. It’s an approach that could be critical in the face of growing antimicrobial resistance.
Dr Jay Laver, Senior Research Fellow in Molecular Microbiology at the University of Southampton, commented: “Although this study has identified the potential of our recombinant N. lactamica technology for protecting people against meningococcal disease, the underlying platform technology has broader applications.
“It is theoretically possible to express any antigen in our bacteria, which means we can potentially adapt them to combat a multitude of infections that enter the body through the upper respiratory tract. In addition to the delivery of vaccine antigens, advances in synthetic biology mean we might also use genetically modified bacteria to manufacture and deliver therapeutics molecules in the near future.”
Prof Read, Director of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre said: “This work has shown that it is possible to protect people from severe diseases by using nose drops containing genetically modified friendly bacteria. We think this is likely to be a very successful and popular way of protecting people against a range of diseases in the future.”
Original Article: People given ‘friendly’ bacteria in nose drops protected against meningitis
More from: University of Southampton
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Meningitis
- WHO and Government of France host high-level meeting to combat meningitis
Global leaders highlight the need to defeat meningitis – a leading cause of disability – at a high-level meeting co-hosted by the World Health Organization and Government of France, under the High ...
- Hand transplant patient warns of meningitis danger
A man who underwent pioneering transplant surgery after contracting meningitis is backing a push to eradicate the virus. Mike Davies, from Brighton, lost both hands and feet after falling ill on ...
- Nigeria is pioneering a new vaccine to fight meningitis - why this matters
With a new 5-in-1 vaccine, Nigeria hopes to contain the five most important serotypes causing meningitis in the country.
- A meningitis case has been confirmed in Chico
Neisseria meningitis can be spread from person to person by coughing or coming into close contact with someone who is sick or is carrying the bacteria.
- Meningitis survivor advocates against changing vaccine schedule
The CDC recommends the meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine for all preteens and teens. The current vaccine schedule recommends 11 to 12-year-olds should get a MenACWY vaccine, with a booster ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Meningitis
[google_news title=”” keyword=”meningitis” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Genetically modified friendly bacteria
- Mosquito season is upon us. So why are Southern California officials releasing more of them?
Vector control officials in Southern California are starting to release sterilized male mosquitoes to combat the summertime onslaught of ankle biters.
- Company Claims Its ‘Directed Evolution’ Microbiome-Enhanced Plants Literally Eat Pollution for Breakfast
Scientists from Neoplants say their 'directed evolution' microbiome plant filtration system cleans the air as well as 30 ordinary plants.
- Philippines Court Decision Gives Great Hope to Efforts to Save Farmers and Consumers from GM Crops and Food
At a time when there is increasing concern that powerful GM crop lobbyists backed by enormous resources of giant multinational companies may be able to ...
- Scientists develop self-dyeing vegan leather through bacteria
By genetically modifying a strain of bacteria known for generating sheets of microbial cellulose—a flexible substance utilized across various industries—the scientists have succeeded in creating a ...
- Would you wear this ‘shoe-like vessel’ made from genetically engineered bacteria?
[Related: A new color-changing, shape-shifting fabric responds to heat and electricity.] ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Genetically modified friendly bacteria
[google_news title=”” keyword=”genetically modified friendly bacteria” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]