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New vaccine could defeat a major cause of diarrheal disease : NPR
NPR • • health
Key Points:
- A new vaccine candidate called WRSs2, developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, showed 89% efficacy in preventing shigellosis, a leading cause of diarrheal deaths, in a rigorous trial involving 108 adults.
- Shigellosis disproportionately affects children under five, especially in regions with poor sanitation, causing severe illness, malnutrition, and cognitive impairment; antibiotic resistance has made treatment increasingly difficult.
- Previous vaccine attempts showed lower efficacy, and WRSs2 is the most promising to date, but experts emphasize the need for larger trials, especially in young children who are most vulnerable.
- The vaccine targets Shigella sonnei but researchers aim to develop a combination vaccine protecting against multiple bacterial causes of diarrhea, although practical challenges exist.
- Next steps include testing safety and efficacy in children under five in high-risk areas, with the goal of significantly reducing childhood diarrheal deaths worldwide.
