Joining forces to produce next-generation vaccines against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Infections with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) remain one of the main contributors to moderate and severe diarrhea (MSD) in children of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Extensive efforts to develop vaccines for LMIC children have yet to r esult in an effective ETEC vaccine for use in these countries. Other research groups focus on developing vaccines containing the toxoids inducing immunity to the ETEC thermo-labile toxin (LT) and colonization factors (CFs). Our contribution, on the other hand, focuses on new vaccine antigens, in particular the heat-stable toxin (ST), because ST-producing ETEC contribute to the bulk of ETEC MSD in LMIC. To further complement current ETEC vaccine development efforts, we also target non-CF proteins which may contribute importantly to the induction of anti-colonizing immunity to ETEC. Before embarking on incorporating and testing our toxoids and proteins capable of inducing anti-colonizing immunity in vaccines prototypes, extensive interaction between the con sortium members will take place in a workshop this summer. The workshop will generate a sound strategy for our contribution to designing ETEC vaccine candidates, and for building a competitive research proposal for the GLOBVAC program.