�Bacteria that cause pulmonic plague potty evade our first-line defences, making it difficult for the consistence to scrap infection. In fact, a signature of the plague is the lack of an inflammatory response. Now, scientists have discovered a way to protect against death following infection with plague bacterium, by victimization molecules that can mimic the pathogens. According to research published in the July issuing of Microbiology, these molecules make antibiotics more effective and canful even be used to protect against other diseases.
The plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, has killed an estimated cc million the great unwashed worldwide. Although treatments have improved, it remains a threat to public health. It can be transmitted from human to human in aerosols and is therefore listed as a Category A bioterrorism agent.
"Yersinia pestis is successful in causing disease in mammals because it can deaden the normal non-specific immune response to infection," said Dr Scott Minnich from the University of Idaho, USA. "We found an intranasal therapy that stimulates the innate immune response and protects against pulmonic plague."
Following infection, lipid A (which is part of the bacterial surface) binds to receptors on our immune cells, triggering an immune response. Yersinia pestilence circumvents this, stopping our cells from taking action. Molecules have been developed that mimic lipid A, eliciting a strong immune response that can prevent death in infected animals. Dr Minnich and his colleagues studied the effect of a nasal spray containing deuce such molecules, CRX-524 and CRX-527, on mice septic with Yersinia pestis.
"Treatment with synthetic modified lipid A molecules privy directly protect animals against pneumonic plague infections," said Dr Minnich. "We also found that stimulating innate immunity exploitation this nasal consonant spray enhanced conventional antibiotic drug therapy. When it is given along with antibiotics, fewer doses and less antibiotic protects against pneumonic plague."
The results of this study intimate that synthetic modified lipid A compounds may provide a new therapeutic cock against plague infection. In a control group that did non receive the treatment, only 23% of mice survived for 3 days. When given the mimic molecules, up to 93% of mice survived for 3 days, 70% for 4 days and 34% cured completely. This highlights the importance of the nonspecific, first-line immune defences during the critical early phase angle of infection. Stimulating this response canful over-ride a microorganism's counter measures to evade or disable the immune response.
Other studies own shown related to therapeutic compounds are as well effective against influenza and Listeria monocytogenes. "This work is still at a very basic animal model testing level with regards to pestis," said Dr Minnich. "What is exciting is that these studies provide perceptivity into bacterial/host interactions in the disease process and promise new strategies to combat a variety of infectious agents.
Source: Lucy Goodchild
Society for General Microbiology
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