Recombinant Helicobacter pylori Vaccine Delivery Vehicle: A Promising Tool to Treat Infections and Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global public health threat. Experts agree that unless proper actions are taken, the number of deaths due to AMR will increase. Many strategies are being pursued to tackle AMR, one of the most important being the development of efficient vaccines. Similar to other bacterial pathogens, AMR in Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is rising worldwide. Hp infects half of the human population and its prevalence ranges from <10% in developed countries to up to 90% in low-income countries. Currently, there is no vaccine available for Hp. This review provides a brief summary of the use of antibiotic-based treatment for Hp infection and its related AMR problems together with a brief description of the status of vaccine development for Hp. It is mainly dedicated to genetic tools and strategies that can be used to develop an oral recombinant Hp vaccine delivery platform that is (i) completely attenuated, (ii) can survive, synthesize in situ and deliver antigens, DNA vaccines, and adjuvants to antigen-presenting cells at the gastric mucosa, and (iii) possibly activate desired compartments of the gut-associated mucosal immune system. Recombinant Hp vaccine delivery vehicles can be used for therapeutic or prophylactic vaccination for Hp and other microbial pathogens.

Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori Resistance to Antibiotics (A Narrative Review)

“…The discovery of an efficient vaccine against H. pylori could reduce the pressure of the world's growing antibiotic resistance. A recombinant type of H. pylori vaccine could be used for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination [27].…”

Structure-based design of small molecule inhibitors of the cagT4SS ATPase Cagα of Helicobacter pylori

“…Considering the rise of antibiotic resistance, alternative therapeutic methods to fight bacterial infections have emerged that may not lead to strong selection pressure (30)(31)(32)(33). Targeting virulence factors that are not essential for bacterial survival is one of the investigated approaches (34-37).…”