Genetic detoxification of bacterial toxins: a new approach to vaccine development

Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1995 Dec;108(4):327-33. doi: 10.1159/000237176.

Abstract

Chemically detoxified bacterial toxins (toxoids) have been successfully used as vaccines for the prevention of many bacterial infectious diseases. Today, nontoxic derivatives of bacterial toxins can be obtained by mutagenesis of the toxin genes. These genetically inactivated toxins are superior to the classical toxoids both in safety and in immunogenicity and therefore they should replace the old toxoids in the existing vaccines. In addition, they represent a novel class of immunogens with unique properties, some of which may be used for innovative approaches to vaccination.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigen Presentation
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control*
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Toxins / immunology
  • Bacterial Vaccines / immunology*
  • Cholera Toxin / genetics
  • Cholera Toxin / immunology
  • Diarrhea / prevention & control
  • Enterotoxins / genetics
  • Enterotoxins / immunology
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Humans
  • Toxoids / genetics*
  • Toxoids / immunology
  • Virulence Factors, Bordetella / genetics
  • Virulence Factors, Bordetella / immunology
  • Whooping Cough / prevention & control

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Enterotoxins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Toxoids
  • Virulence Factors, Bordetella
  • heat stable toxin (E coli)
  • Cholera Toxin