Edible vaccines

Abstract

Infectious diseases cause more than one million deaths every year. Fifty percent of these diseases are caused by bacteria that infect the mucosal membrane of the mammalian host. Vaccines are recognized worldwide as one of the most effective resources against infectious diseases. It is a biological product that can improve the immune response to specific diseases. Edible vaccines are referred to the use of edible parts of the genetically modified plants. It effects on the lining of the gastrointestinal tract allows the activation of systemic immunity and mucosal immunity (GIT). Edible vaccines are used to prevent various diseases, such as hepatitis B, measles, malaria, cholera, Norwalk disease, anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, rabies, rotavirus, HIV, HPV, diabetes, and sexually transmitted diseases. The purpose of this review is to introduce edible vaccines as a novel oral immunization method, the types and uses of edible vaccines in clinical trials.