Combined vaccine to prevent Shigella and ETEC diarrhea
A cross protective multivalent vaccine for Shigella and ETEC
This project is developing an injectable combination vaccine to prevent severe diarrhea from Shigella and enterotoxigenic E. coli in children and travelers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304072 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be hearing about a vaccine made by joining multiple protective pieces from both ETEC and Shigella into one injection using a platform called MEFA. The team has designed proteins that trigger antibodies to the common binding factors and toxins of ETEC and to shared virulence parts of Shigella. In animal tests, the vaccine candidates produced functional antibodies and protected animals from infection, and the work aims to make a safe version of a normally non‑immunogenic toxin piece. If safety and immune responses are good in early human trials, the program would move toward larger studies in people at risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future trials would include healthy adults and children in age groups at risk (including young children and adult travelers) who live near participating clinical sites and meet standard vaccine trial eligibility.
Not a fit: People with severe immune deficiencies, a history of allergy to vaccine components, or other exclusionary medical conditions may not be eligible or may not benefit from this vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the vaccine could prevent many cases of moderate-to-severe diarrheal illness in young children in endemic areas and in international travelers, lowering hospital visits and antibiotic use.
How similar studies have performed: No licensed vaccines exist yet for Shigella or ETEC, though related candidates like MecVax have generated protective antibodies and protection in animal studies, making this combined approach promising but still relatively novel in humans.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sack, David a — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Sack, David a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.