Scientists at the University of York’s Hull Medical School have found a new, safe way to infect volunteers with the leishmaniasis parasite and measure their immune response, in a discovery that could lay the foundation for developing a vaccine against the disease and testing new preventive measures.
The study included 14 volunteers who were exposed to sand flies infected with a type of parasite that causes one of the milder forms of leishmaniasis.
The research team monitored the progression of the infection at the site of the sand fly bite, assessing its progress, and then eliminated the infection with a skin biopsy. The scientists then studied the biopsy to examine immune responses at the site of the infection.
The team says the model will speed up efforts to test new vaccines and understand how immunity to infection arises.
Lead researcher Professor Paul Kay, from the University of York’s Hull York Medical School, said: “This is a landmark study that provides a new approach to testing vaccines and preventative measures for leishmaniasis in a rapid and cost-effective way. It also allows us to learn more about how the immune system fights infection. Thanks to the volunteers who took part in our study, we are now well placed to bring hope to those affected by this disease.”
“This study, which demonstrates that this infection model is safe and tolerable to participants, demonstrates our global approach to skin health and has the potential to impact the lives of millions of people worldwide,” said Professor Alison Leighton, clinical study leader.
Controlled “human infection studies,” where volunteers are exposed to small amounts of pathogens, play a vital role in providing scientists with evidence of the safety and effectiveness of new vaccines, but their use in combating neglected tropical diseases has been limited.
The scientists explained that leishmaniasis affects more than a million people annually, and most of them suffer from a slow-healing ulcer at the site of infection. Although the ulcer eventually heals, the scar has a significant impact on the quality of life, especially for women and children “when the infection is on the face.”
There are currently no vaccines or drugs available to prevent leishmaniasis, partly due to the difficulties and costs associated with conducting clinical trials in countries where these diseases are common.
The study was published in the journal Nature Medicine.
Source: Medical Express
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2024-08-03 15:44:03
