Nisha Pandey

Scientists Take A Step Towards A Universal Vaccine Against Pneumonia And Meningitis

A new experimental vaccine could offer protection against several forms of <span>Streptococcus <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/pneumonia">pneumonia</a>e</span>, showing promise for a future vaccine that will not have to fight each bacterial strain separately. 

The bacterium, commonly called <span>pneumococcus</span>, can live in the nose and throat without causing any symptoms. But when the body's defenses are compromised and weakened, it can target other parts of the body and cause symptoms like <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/pneumonia">pneumonia</a></span>, <span>meningitis</span>, bloodstream infections and other serious diseases. 

One of the primary challenges of preventing these infections is that <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/measles-in-us-3-states-report-significant-uptick-in-cases-how-to-spot-initial-symptoms-article-156020304" data-type="tilCustomLink">S. pneumoniae</a> exists in more than 100 serotypes, or distinct versions of the bacterium. The current vaccines available to fight them only cover a selection of these types. 

A new study published in Science Advances has found a different strategy. Instead of developing the vaccine around the sugar coating that differs between serotypes, researchers targeted proteins that is shared across pneumococcal strains.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/h5n1-detected-in-captive-mink-in-us-for-first-time-should-you-be-concerned-article-156036350" data-type="tilCustomLink">H5N1 Detected In Captive Mink In US For First Time: Should You Be Concerned?</a> 

<h2>Current <span rel="noindex">Pneumococcal Vaccines</span> Have A Limitation </h2>

Existing <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/new-tb-vaccine-falls-short-of-bcg-in-newborns-phase-3-trial-shows-article-155995085" data-type="tilCustomLink">pneumococcal vaccines</a> work by instructing the immune system to recognise some components of the bacterium's outer shell. 

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, or PCVs, combine these bacterial sugars with a carrier protein to produce a stronger immune response. Vaccines that target multiple serotypes have helped reduce invasive pneumococcal disease significantly. 

But when vaccination reduces the prevalence of the serotypes that is included in a vaccine, other serotypes that are not covered can become more common. This phenomenon is known as serotype replacement. 

Some of these replacement strains can also acquire antibiotic-resistance genes, which becomes another challenge. 

This is why researchers have been exploring a vaccine that could provide protection across almost all <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/measles-infant-among-two-unvaccinated-deaths-reported-in-us-article-155993705" data-type="tilCustomLink">pneumococcal serotypes</a>, rather than having to continuously expand the list of strains covered.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fall-vaccines-2026-us-doctors-issue-covid-flu-and-rsv-jab-guidance-article-156034416" data-type="tilCustomLink">Fall Vaccines 2026: US Doctors Issue COVID, Flu And RSV Jab Guidance</a> 

<h2>How Is The New Vaccine Developed? </h2>

Researchers opted for a reverse strategy to develop this universal vaccine. Instead of growing the bacterium and looking for useful components, researchers started with its genetic information. 

They studied thousands of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/shingrix-shingles-vaccine-offers-promise-in-lowering-heart-attack-stroke-risk-study-article-155989789" data-type="tilCustomLink">S. pneumoniae genomes</a> to identify proteins that were conserved across different serotypes. The team looked for proteins that would: 

<ul><li>Be present on or accessible from the bacterial surface</li><li>Be sufficiently different from human proteins</li><li>Be capable of producing a strong immune response</li></ul>

From this analysis, researchers selected three proteins: zinc metalloprotease B (ZmpB), pneumococcal adherence and virulence factor A (PavA), and a YfhO-like protein. 

These were combined with two immune-stimulating ingredients, CpG and chitosan, to create the experimental vaccine called ZPY-CpG-Ch.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/84-cancer-patients-report-benefit-from-ivermectin-mebendazole-what-the-study-found-why-more-trials-are-needed-article-156034007" data-type="tilCustomLink">84% Cancer Patients Report Benefit From Ivermectin-Mebendazole: What The Study Found &amp; Why More Trials Are Needed</a> 

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Researchers tested the vaccine in both adult and mice to compare its performance with the 13-valent <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/tivicay-us-fda-approves-drug-to-treat-hiv-in-newborns-article-155987201" data-type="tilCustomLink">pneumococcal conjugate vaccine</a>, PCV13. 

In one experiment, vaccinated mice were exposed to serotype 1, a highly virulent strain of S. pneumoniae. The experimental vaccine produced 80% to 100% survival. The researchers also tested the vaccine against serotypes that are not covered by PCV13. 

ZPY-CpG-Ch provided complete protection against serotypes 11A and 33F, while protection against serotype 8 was 50%. 

The study found that the vaccine's protective effect was associated largely with a type of immune response that is be important in defense against pneumococcal infection. 

The researchers also found that antibodies produced after vaccination could help kill pneumococci in laboratory experiments. 

When these antibodies were transferred into unvaccinated mice, they provided protection against a lethal <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/two-decade-long-study-sees-50-higher-risk-of-distal-colon-cancer-in-men-with-high-dietary-nitrite-intake-article-155973420" data-type="tilCustomLink">pneumococcal strain</a>. 

Despite the promising results, the researchers are not claiming that ZPY-CpG-Ch is ready for people. 

The biggest limitation is that the work is still preclinical. The vaccine has been tested in mice but not in human clinical trials. The researchers also challenged the animals with only a small number of pneumococcal serotypes. 

If the vaccine eventually proves to be safe and effective in humans, it could lead to wider protection against pneumococcal diseases.

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A new experimental vaccine could offer protection against several forms of Streptococcus pneumoniae, showing promise for a future vaccine that will not have to fight each bacterial strain separately. The bacterium, commonly called pneumococcus, can live in the nose and throat without causing any symptoms. But when the body's defenses are compromised and weakened, it can target other parts of the body and cause symptoms like pneumonia, meningitis, bloodstream infections and other serious diseases. About The Study One of the primary challenges of preventing these infections is that S. pneumoniae exists in more than 100 serotypes, or distinct versions of the bacterium. The current vaccines available to fight them only cover a selection of these types. A new study published in Science Advances has found a different strategy. Instead of developing the vaccine around the sugar coating that differs between serotypes, researchers targeted proteins that is shared across pneumococcal strains.Also read: H5N1 Detected In Captive Mink In US For First Time: Should You Be Concerned? Current Pneumococcal Vaccines Have A Limitation Existing pneumococcal vaccines work by instructing the immune system to recognise some components of the bacterium's outer shell. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, or PCVs, combine these bacterial sugars with a carrier protein to produce a stronger immune response. Vaccines that target multiple serotypes have helped reduce invasive pneumococcal disease significantly. But when vaccination reduces the prevalence of the serotypes that is included in a vaccine, other serotypes that are not covered can become more common. This phenomenon is known as serotype replacement. Some of these replacement strains can also acquire antibiotic-resistance genes, which becomes another challenge. This is why researchers have been exploring a vaccine that could provide protection across almost all pneumococcal serotypes, rather than having to continuously expand the list of strains covered.Also read: Fall Vaccines 2026: US Doctors Issue COVID, Flu And RSV Jab Guidance How Is The New Vaccine Developed? Researchers opted for a reverse strategy to develop this universal vaccine. Instead of growing the bacterium and looking for useful components, researchers started with its genetic information. They studied thousands of S. pneumoniae genomes to identify proteins that were conserved across different serotypes. The team looked for proteins that would: Be present on or accessible from the bacterial surfaceBe sufficiently different from human proteinsBe capable of producing a strong immune responseFrom this analysis, researchers selected three proteins: zinc metalloprotease B (ZmpB), pneumococcal adherence and virulence factor A (PavA), and a YfhO-like protein. These were combined with two immune-stimulating ingredients, CpG and chitosan, to create the experimental vaccine called ZPY-CpG-Ch.Also read: 84% Cancer Patients Report Benefit From Ivermectin-Mebendazole: What The Study Found & Why More Trials Are Needed Effects Of The Vaccine On Mice       Researchers tested the vaccine in both adult and mice to compare its performance with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV13. In one experiment, vaccinated mice were exposed to serotype 1, a highly virulent strain of S. pneumoniae. The experimental vaccine produced 80% to 100% survival. The researchers also tested the vaccine against serotypes that are not covered by PCV13. ZPY-CpG-Ch provided complete protection against serotypes 11A and 33F, while protection against serotype 8 was 50%. The study found that the vaccine's protective effect was associated largely with a type of immune response that is be important in defense against pneumococcal infection. The researchers also found that antibodies produced after vaccination could help kill pneumococci in laboratory experiments. When these antibodies were transferred into unvaccinated mice, they provided protection against a lethal pneumococcal strain. Despite the promising results, the researchers are not claiming that ZPY-CpG-Ch is ready for people. The biggest limitation is that the work is still preclinical. The vaccine has been tested in mice but not in human clinical trials. The researchers also challenged the animals with only a small number of pneumococcal serotypes. If the vaccine eventually proves to be safe and effective in humans, it could lead to wider protection against pneumococcal diseases.

scientists take a step towards a universal vaccine against pneumonia and meningitis

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