Technologies

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new methodology to construct a leptospirosis vaccine. The antigen has been biochemically characterized and thought to be of exceptional purify as measured by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and is suitable to vaccinate animals.

Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread diseases estimated to infect up to 7-10 million people per year worldwide (2014) that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The most common transmission is via the urine of rodents or domestic animals that contaminates water or soil. Unfortunately, it can cause severe infection and currently there is not an efficient vaccine present to combat this disease. The disease is caused by Leptospira, a genus of the spirochaete bacteria of which there are ~13 pathogenic species that effect humans. The signs and symptoms of the disease are quite variable and can range from mild headaches, muscle pains, and fevers to the more severe form which causes bleeding from the lungs.