Chlamydia vaccine in human trial success

Following animal studies, an experimental vaccine for chlamydia has been shown to be safe and able to generate an immune response in people in an early clinical trial. 

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) and can sometimes lead to eye infections that result in vision loss. There is currently no vaccine, which can give long-term protection and immunity against infection. 

In the phase I trial, conducted by Imperial College London, UK, and the Statens Serum Institut, Denmark – which also developed the vaccine (CTH522) – all trial participants were shown to have generated antibodies against the bacteria that causes chlamydia – a vital component of the body’s immune response in fighting off infections.   

Earlier studies in mice demonstrated that CTH522 gave protection to the animals, while monkeys were used to identify the best way to vaccinate and generate the most effective immunity. 

The next step will be to conduct further trials to investigate whether the vaccine can fight infection in people with chlamydia (those in the current trial were healthy), and if it will result in infections that have no symptoms.