Development of a vaccine against Klebsiella pneumoniae

Brief description

In this project, we propose the development of a vaccine against K. pneumoniae using a reverse vaccinology approach. Through genome mining, we will identify conserved antigens in the genomes of reference strains available online and confirm their presence in the sequenced genomes of clinical K. pneumoniae isolates.

Computer analysis will allow us to identify surface proteins present in the majority of clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae, which will be components of a potential vaccine. Thus, this vaccine will also work for multidrug-resistant strains of K. pneumoniae, since the mechanisms responsible for the resistance do not impair a direct immune response against these bacteria.

We are convinced that this new approach will be effective against K. pneumoniae and will help fight this multidrug-resistant bacterium.

Impact:

K. pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium of clinical importance, which readily colonizes mucosal surfaces and, from there, has access to other tissues and establishes serious infections. Resistance to several antibiotics has been reported, reducing the number of effective treatments.

K. pneumoniae is increasingly becoming a public health problem. Indeed, the World Health Organization has published a list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in which is stated the need of new interventions against K. pneumoniae is considered crucial.

To date, no vaccine is available against K. pneumoniae. Our approach to develop a vaccine against this multidrug-resistant pathogen could be an effective immunotherapy against K. pneumoniae, since it would also work for the multidrug-resistant strains responsible for nosocomial infections.

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