In Vitro Priming of Human T Cells by Dendritic Cells Provides a Screening Tool for Candidate Vaccines for Burkholderia pseudomallei

Modeling human immune responses to vaccination in vitro

The human immune system is a complex network of coordinated components that are crucial for health and disease. Animal models, commonly used to study immunomodulatory agents, are limited by species-specific differences, low throughput, and ethical concerns. In contrast, in vitro modeling of human immune responses can enable species- and population-specific mechanistic studies and translational development within the same study participant. Translational accuracy of in vitro models is enhanced by accounting for genetic, epigenetic, and demographic features such as age, sex, and comorbidity. This review explores various human in vitro immune models, considers evidence that they may resemble human in vivo responses, and assesses their potential to accelerate and de-risk vaccine discovery and development.

Melioidosis and Burkholderia pseudomallei : progress in epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and vaccination

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Melioidosis and its causative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei are being found in unexpected locations and bacterial genotyping is providing new insights into global spread and where and how individuals are being infected. This review summarizes recent studies covering the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of melioidosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Whole-genome sequencing of B. pseudomallei from patients and environmental sampling is informing the phylogeography of B. pseudomallei at regional, continental, and global levels, while also defining the epidemiology for individual cases. The situation in Africa remains the most unresolved, while the evolving story of B. pseudomallei in the Americas may establish that B. pseudomallei is endemic in parts of southern USA. Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of melioidosis are well established, and published mortality has decreased from 50% or higher to 10% or lower in some countries but access to laboratory and therapeutic resources are not available or are extremely limited in many melioidosis-endemic regions.

SUMMARY

The enormous clinical diversity of melioidosis and the complexities of laboratory diagnosis and of treatment make it a sentinel disease for highlighting the continuing global disparities in access to and provision of healthcare.