streptococcus, HIV and hepatitis C in the spotlight
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND/HEALTH DIARY.- The World Health Organization (WHO) has published groundbreaking research. electronic biomedicinewhich identifies 17 endemic pathogens priorities in the development of new vaccines.
The initiative, the first to prioritize pathogens based on criteria such as regional disease burden, risk of antimicrobial resistance and socioeconomic impact, aims to support the 2030 Immunization Agenda to expand the benefits of immunization to all regions of the world.
The report confirms the urgent need continue research and development (R&D) in the field of vaccines from critical diseases such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, which together cause almost 2.5 million deaths annually. In addition, new pathogens such as streptococcus from group A and Klebsiella pneumonia have been identified as urgent priorities in all regions due to their growing antimicrobial resistance.
In this regard, Kate O’BrienDirector of the WHO Department of Immunization, stressed that the study evaluates vaccines according to their potential to save lives in the most vulnerable communities, and not strictly financial criteria. “This work uses regional experience and data identify vaccines that will not only significantly reduce disease incidence, but also the medical costs borne by families and health care systems,” he said.
The selection process included consultations with international and regional experts to identify priority factors in development of new vaccines. The result is a consolidated list of 17 pathogens of global concern, including viruses such as hepatitis C and cytomegalovirus, as well as resistant bacteria such as Shigella and Escherichia coli extraintestinal pathogen.
List of priority endemic pathogens:
-For those who need more research: group A streptococcus, Klebsiella pneumoniaHIV-1, hepatitis C virus.
– Advances are needed in the development of vaccines: cytomegalovirus, norovirus, malaria (Plasmodium falciparum), species Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus.
-Close to approval or recommendation: dengue virus, coli extraintestinal pathogen and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
This prioritization strengthens WHO’s commitment to immunization programs in low- and middle-income countries, as well as its focus on advancing the global vaccine research and development agenda. In addition, the list of endemic pathogens complements the WHO R&D Plan for Epidemic Controlwhich prioritizes potentially epidemic or pandemic pathogens, providing a clear roadmap for researchers, manufacturers and funders.