Please find the next edition of the Monthly Infectious Diseases Summary, our subjective look at the most important news of the month. Please let us know how you like it and if there is something interesting, we missed by contacting us at nac.contact@lgcgroup.com
WHO Study Lists Top Endemic Pathogens for which New Vaccines are Urgently Needed
A new WHO study in eBioMedicine identifies 17 pathogens as top priorities for vaccine development, chosen based on their regional disease burden, antimicrobial resistance, and socioeconomic impact. Longstanding targets like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis remain crucial, but the study also emphasizes pathogens such as Group A streptococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are increasingly resistant to antimicrobials.
This study aims to shift focus from profit-driven vaccine development to solutions that save lives, particularly in vulnerable communities, using broad regional data to prioritize vaccines that could ease the health and financial burdens on families and health systems.
The global list of 17 pathogens, created from regional lists of top 10 pathogens, aligns with the Immunization Agenda 2030 to promote equitable vaccine access worldwide. This effort complements the WHO’s blueprint for epidemic preparedness by prioritizing endemic diseases with high public health and socioeconomic impacts, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to guide global vaccine R&D agendas. Read more here
Rwanda is currently dealing with an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), reporting 66 confirmed cases and 15 deaths as of October 31, 2024, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The outbreak was declared on September 27, and two new cases have been identified since the last update. Both new patients are known contacts of previously confirmed cases and are receiving treatment.
In response, Rwanda received vaccine doses from the U.S.-based Sabin Vaccine Institute, a nonprofit organization. Sabin’s CEO, Amy Finan, began coordinating with Rwandan authorities while on vacation, leading to daily calls focused on containing the outbreak. Within ten days of the announcement, Sabin had vaccinated frontline health workers using an experimental vaccine that, though promising, remains unapproved by regulators. Finan noted the rapid coordination required to secure approvals, finalize protocols, and deliver the vaccines.Read more here
In related news, the Sabin Vaccine Institute announced on X that it is sending an additional 1,000 doses of the Marburg vaccine to Rwanda, following the 1,700 doses shipped in September. To date, 1,600 doses have been administered to high-risk groups, including healthcare workers. The updated protocol will assess the vaccine’s safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy, focusing on high-risk individuals. Under the protocol, half of the participants will receive the investigational vaccine immediately, and the other half after 21 days, matching the disease's incubation period.
On November 1, Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Nsanzimana, confirmed that the MVD outbreak is now contained, with no new deaths in the past three weeks. The two remaining patients are stable and receiving care. Nsanzimana outlined ongoing response efforts, including enhanced surveillance, research to deepen understanding of the virus, and strategies to improve preparedness and containment. Read more here
Check out our portfolio ofMarburgand Ebolaproteins and do not hesitate to contact us if there is something you cannot find in our regular catalogue!
Ethiopia Reports Highest Malaria Cases in 7 Years
Ethiopia is facing a significant surge in malaria cases, with over 7.3 million infections and 1,157 deaths reported between January 1 and October 20, 2024, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This marks the highest annual number of cases recorded in the past seven years. The majority of cases (95%) were laboratory-confirmed, with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for more than two-thirds.
Four regions—Oromia, Amhara, Southwest, and South Ethiopia Regional State—accounted for 81% of the reported cases and 89% of malaria-related deaths this year. Oromia alone reported 44% of cases and 667 deaths. Favorable geo-ecological conditions in the western part of the country contribute to the high malaria burden.
Men constitute 56% of outpatient cases and 52% of inpatient admissions, while children under five represent 16% of outpatient cases and 25% of inpatient admissions. Factors such as the movement of seasonal migrant workers and the seasonal nature of malaria transmission influence these demographics.
Since 2021, Ethiopia has seen a resurgence of malaria, reversing previous declines. Outbreaks have persisted beyond expected transmission seasons, with surges during the secondary transmission season in 2024. Challenges like limited access to healthcare due to conflicts, other disease outbreaks, and humanitarian emergencies exacerbate the situation.
UK to create world-first 'early warning system' for pandemics
The UK government has announced plans to create the world’s first real-time surveillance system for monitoring pandemic threats through a partnership with Genomics England, UK Biobank, NHS England, and Oxford Nanopore—a leader in life sciences technology. Oxford Nanopore’s long-read sequencing technology, which enables rapid analysis of genes and pathogens, will power this new system.
This technology will expand NHS England’s Respiratory Metagenomics programme, led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. By using samples from patients with severe respiratory infections, it provides rapid genetic testing and matches patients with effective treatments within six hours. Initially piloted at St Thomas’ Hospital, the program will now roll out to up to 30 NHS sites, closing the gap between the emergence of new pathogens and the response needed to treat and contain them.
This system is designed not only to prevent future pandemics but also to monitor bacterial or viral outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance across the UK. Read more here
At The Native Antigen Company, we are proud partners in pandemic preparedness withthe International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS). The IPPS supports the 100 Days Mission (100DM), which aims to ensure that within the first 100 days of a pandemic threat, accurate diagnostics, initial therapeutics, and scalable vaccines are available, safe, effective, and affordable.
The Native Antigen Company Expands CMV Portfolio with Recombinant HCMV PP65 Antigen and Six New Antibodies
The Native Antigen Company is excited to announce the launch of the recombinant human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) PP65 antigen, along with six new recombinant antibodies (IgG and IgM) for HCMVMAB12537, MAB12538-MAB12539, MAB12540, MAB12541 and MAB12542, further expanding its CMV portfolio. These additions offer enhanced sensitivity, specificity, and scalability, providing more consistent and reliable diagnostic outcomes. By offering these advanced tools, The Native Antigen Company continues to support the fight against HCMV, advancing both diagnostics and vaccine development.
The Native Antigen Company Announces New Oropouche Virus Nucleoprotein for Research and Diagnostics
At The Native Antigen Company, we are committed to global pandemic preparedness by providing high-quality antigens for Oropouche virus research and diagnostics. We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Oropouche Virus Nucleoprotein, C-terminal His-tag (REC32118), now available for purchase.
The Native Antigen Company offers a comprehensive portfolio of Haemorrhageic Fever Viruses. Click below to download the Quick guide now:
Nicole McIver | Associate Marketing Program Manager
Nicole lives in Massachusetts, US where she was born and raised. She completed a B.S. in Biology at Merrimack College and began working in the biotechnology industry in 2015 at Quest Diagnostics as a Molecular Medical Technologist. During her time in the molecular diagnostics laboratory Nicole worked with third-party quality controls including those from LGC Clinical Diagnostics' Seracare line.
In 2019, Nicole moved into a research role at a smaller biotech company MatTek Life Sciences where she worked with 3D bioactive lab-grown human tissue models studying the morphological, cytotoxic and genetic impacts of cosmetics and consumer products. There she performed various assays involving IHC, qPCR and ELISAs.
In 2021, Nicole chose to make a career change and pursue marketing as she found the impact of design and strategic data-driven insights intriguing. Nicole completed the MBA, Marketing program at Fitchburg State University in 2022. Her goal is to educate, excite, and connect people with the tools they need to make the world a better place.
Nicole has been with LGC Clinical Diagnostics one year this month! She is the creator behind The Native Antigen Company's email and social campaigns, and assists with websites, webinars, events and other content curation across the business.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her fiancé, two cats, boxador dog and her nearby family. On the weekends, they usually find a local trail to hike, a festival with live music and food trucks, or stay in to play board games or watch a movie.
Nicole looks forward to continue to share the ongoing excitement here!
LGC Clinical Diagnostics, lgcclinicaldiagnostics.com, 37 Birch St., Milford, MA 01757, United States, 800.333.0958
