New study confirms that Strangvac is likely to be effective against all known strains of Streptococcus equi
Stockholm, January 21, 2022 - In the largest study of its kind, published in the 'Equine Veterinary Journal', scientists confirm that the antigens used in the Strangvac vaccine were highly conserved regardless of which strain of Streptococcus equi was examined from outbreaks in 19 countries around the world.
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how variation in the antigens encoded by pathogens can influence the level of protection that is provided by vaccination.
In this exciting new study, scientists from Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America teamed up to examine the DNA from a combined collection of 759 isolates of Streptococcus equi from 19 different countries. The results showed that 743 (97.9%) of isolates differed by no more than one of the 1580 amino acids in Strangvac. Furthermore, all isolates from around the world shared at least six antigens that were identical to those in Strangvac.
“Streptococcus equi has been causing disease for hundreds of years and spreads as horses are moved around the world,” said Dr. Sara Frosth of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. “It is extremely encouraging that there is so little variation in the antigens that are used in Strangvac.”
“The clinical trials already showed that Strangvac protected horses against a strain that was different to that on which the vaccine is based,” continued Dr. Andrew Waller, CSO at Intervacc AB. “These exciting new results provide evidence that Strangvac will benefit the health of horses wherever they live and regardless of the strains that they become exposed to.”
Link to publication: Conservation of vaccine antigen sequences encoded by sequenced strains of Streptococcus equi subsp. Equi, http://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13552
Collaborating Institutes:
Sweden:
Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala
Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala
Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
Intervacc AB, Stockholm
United Kingdom:
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford
United States of America:
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Texas
Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
For more information please contact:
Andrew Waller, Chief Scientific Officer
Phone: +44-7551-984 193
E-mail: andrew.waller@intervacc.com
The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above on January 21, 2022, 11.00 CET.
About Intervacc
Intervacc AB is a Swedish company within animal health developing safe, effective vaccines for animals. The Company's vaccine candidates are based on several years of research at Karolinska Institutet and Swedish University of Agricultural Research where the foundation was laid for the Company´s research and development work. The Intervacc share has been listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market since April 2017 with Eminova Fondkommission AB, adviser@eminova.se, +46 (0)8–684 211 10 as Certified Adviser.
Contact information for Certified Adviser
Eminova Fondkommission AB
E-mail: adviser@eminova.se, Phone: +46 (0)8 – 684 211 10
