A university researcher believes the vaccine may reduce mortality, prolonged hospitalizations and associated costs, “it may be an important advance in the protection of patients at risk.”
The University of Minho (UMinho) has successfully tested an invasive candidiasis vaccine in animals, a fungal infection that can be fatal to immunocompromised patients, such as those who make transplants or chemotherapy.
In a statement, the UMinho states that, in preclinical essays, Vaccinated animals recorded fewer symptoms, higher survival rate and improvement of the body’s general state after infection.
The team of led by Paula Sampaio, now wants to do clinical tests in humans to measure the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
The project was born 10 years ago in the laboratories in Braga and, after several attempts, a spherical nanoparticle of fat (liposoma), which transports and presents two proteins of the ‘Candida albicans’ to the immune system was created and presents.
He recognizes them and attacks the fungus when he see him again.
“These infections are difficult to diagnose and treat, due to toxicity and resistance to antifungals, but our experimental vaccine has managed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and combat the fungus,” says Paula Sampaio.
The researcher says he believes that the vaccine may reduce mortality, prolonged hospitalizations and associated costs, “it may be an important advance in the protection of patients at risk.”
The results of the work came out in the magazine ““by the Nature group.
Invasive candidiasis affects 1.5 million people per year
As “Candida” infections most frequent appear on genitals, skin folds, nails, mouth and digestive system.
However, in patients with low immunity, this fungus may enter the bloodstream, infecting internal organs and causing invasive candidiasis.
Invasive candidiasis affects 1.5 million patients per yearabout one million (63%) ends up dying.
Different from viruses and bacteria, fungi generate little attention, but their infections are increasingly frequent and parallel, such as when .
The World Health Organization lists ‘Candida Albicans’ among the most urgent fungi in scientific and medical research.
Paula Sampaio recalls that candidiasis is an opportunistic infection, sometimes confused with other conditions, which makes the diagnosis difficult and reduces the public perception of her severity.
“The absence of awareness campaigns and weak general knowledge about fungal infections also leads to undervalued in the debate on public health. More than efficient diagnoses, we need mainly therapies to lower the percentage of mortality,” he says.
