title: A single-dose combination therapy that both prevents and treats anthrax infection.
abstract: Exposure to anthrax leaves susceptible hosts at prolonged risk of infection since spores can persist in vivo for months before germinating to cause life-threatening disease. Anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA, the licensed US vaccine) induces immunity too slowly to protect susceptible individuals post-exposure. Antibiotics prevent the proliferation of vegetative bacilli but do not block latent spores from germinating. Thus, anthrax-exposed individuals must remain on antibiotic therapy for months to eliminate the threat posed by delayed spore germination. Unfortunately, long-term antibiotic treatment is poorly tolerated and frequently discontinued. This work explores whether administering a single dose of a long-acting antibiotic (Dalbavancin) combined with a rapidly immunogenic vaccine/adjuvant combination can provide seamless protection from anthrax with minimal patient compliance. Results show that significant protection is achieved by delivering a single dose of this therapeutic combination any time before through 3 days after anthrax exposure.
authors.affiliation: Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, United States. klinmand@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Dennis M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Klinman
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tross
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000276:immunology; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D017334:Teicoplanin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D017334:Teicoplanin; C469289:dalbavancin