Vaccination for urinary tract infections will soon be available
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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A polyvalent oral serum, MV140, can prevent recurrences of urinary tract infections for a period of about nine years. This information was presented in April this year to congressmen of the European Urological Association.
The term "urinary tract infections" refers to inflammatory processes that affect different parts of the urinary system. This can be inflammation of the lower (cystourethritis) or lower urinary tract (pyelonephritis, renal carbuncles and abscesses). In the category of infectious lesions, urinary tract infections occupy the second place, second only to respiratory infections. Most of these pathologies are caused by bacteria living in the area of the external genitalia and rectum.
Recurrent urinary tract infections are a frequent problem in urology. It occurs in almost every second woman and every fifth man. Approximately 25% of patients have to be treated with antibiotics. Another problem associated with antibiotic therapy is the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. This requires continuous improvement of preventive and therapeutic measures.
Scientists have announced the first results obtained after their work. They investigated the efficacy and safety of MV140 serum: it is a sublingual aerosol preparation containing four whole-cell deactivated bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and Enterococcus faecalis. When administered sublingually, the serum activates the production of antibodies and T helper cells, interleukin-10. This induces an anti-inflammatory T-cell response in the lymphatic system and bladder.
During the third phase of the clinical trial, MV140 serum was given orally to participants divided into two groups. Administration was repeated daily for three or six months, respectively. Upon completion of vaccination, more than half of the participants had no recurrence of urinary tract infections over a nine-year period. The overall, or average "infection-free" period for all participants was about 4.5 years. No significant adverse events were observed after drug administration.
This scientific work has provided encouraging information on the success and safety of the MV140 serum. It is expected that the final results of the project will be made public by the end of this year. According to experts, in the future, the serum can be used independently by the patient at home as a substitute for antibiotic therapy.
Full information about the Congress of Urological Scientists and the results of the study can be found on the EAU organization page