Use plants to create a plague vaccine

Researchers at the University of Arizona successfully turned tobacco into a vaccine factory to prevent plague. This vaccine has produced a good immune response in guinea-pigs.

This result is considered an important milestone in an effort for a future human vaccine.

Yersinia pestis bacterium and tobacco leaves (Photo: VietNamNet)

Plague is caused by a rod-shaped bacterium named Yersinia pestis and is no longer a major epidemic in the past. However, experts have discovered that some strains are resistant to antibiotics and they are particularly concerned that this bacterium is used as a biological weapon.

In addition, according to estimates by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 1,000-3,000 outbreaks a year in the world. The reason is that people are exposed to rodents carrying on them the fleas that contain Yersinia pestis.

According to Luca Santi, the lead researcher, the best way to prevent infection is to produce a new vaccine. Current vaccines are not widely used due to the high rate of adverse reactions and side effects.

Because of this, the team converted the tobacco plants so that it quickly created stable and high levels of antigens. After being purified and injected into the guinea pig, these antigens produce an immune response against plague.

Minh Son (According to Science)