HIV patients hold clues to Salmonella vaccine development

A study published today led by researchers from the University of Birmingham offers a long-awaited explanation for the link between HIV infection and susceptibility to life-threatening nontyphoidal strains of Salmonella. The research, funded by the Wellcome Trust and GlaxoSmithKline, goes on to identify targets that could be pursued for Salmonella vaccine development. Nontyphoidal strains of Salmonella (NTS) usually cause vomiting and diarrhoea in developed countries and are mainly contracted by consuming infected foods, such as uncooked meat and eggs. NTS can also cause fatal bloodstream infections in people with compromised immunity, such as HIV-infected individuals, and children under two years of age or with malaria, anaemia or malnutrition. This is a particular problem in Africa where Salmonellae are the most common bacteria to infect the blood. Such bloodstream infections can be treated with antibiotics, but drug resistance is on the increase and there is currently no vaccine available. "The association between HIV infection and fatal cases of nontyphoidal Salmonella disease has been known since the onset of the AIDS pandemic 26 years ago, but this is the first time we've been able to offer a scientific explanation why", said Dr Cal MacLennan from the University of Birmingham, who led the research.