Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q-fever, a zoonotic disease that transmits to humans mainly through inhalation of contaminated aerosols. The only vaccine licensed for human use is a formalin-inactivated whole cell vaccine (Q-Vax), which provides long-term immunity after a single dose. However, immunizing individuals with immunological memory results in a severe hypersensitivity response that has limited worldwide licensure of Q-Vax. Vaccination is subsequently restricted to serologically and skin test negative individuals, assessed prior to immunization. Adverse vaccine events can include severe local and systemic reactions including a dermal granulomatous inflammation at the injection site, as well as fever, headaches and fatigue.
C. burnetii has an almost global distribution and can remain endemic within a diverse range of animal reservoirs. Subsequently, human cases are most prevalent among veterinarians, farmers and abattoir workers however, many cases go undiagnosed since approximately 50% of individuals exposed to Q-fever are asymptomatic. Since it is not always clear who has been exposed, individuals must undergo serological surveillance and perform a skin test prior to vaccination. This pre-vaccination routine not only increases the time before someone can receive a vaccine, but it is also costly and prohibitive in some developing countries. Given that C. burnetii is also of military significance, given it is a Tier 2 Select Agent, there is an urgent need to develop low-cost, rapid response vaccines.
Vaccine-mediated hypersensitivity in individuals previously exposed to C. burnetii continues to be a significant barrier for licensing new vaccine candidates. The goal of this topic is to identify research that will advance the development of new Q-fever vaccines that are both safe and effective.
In this Research Topic, we aim to cover recent advances in the development of non-reactogenic vaccine candidates against Q-fever. Vaccine candidates could be derived from killed-whole cell, live attenuated, peptide, glycan or nucleic acid origins. However, authors should attempt to address the concerns surrounding vaccine-mediated hypersensitivity with their candidate vaccine.
We welcome the submission of Mini Reviews, Reviews, Original Research, Methods and Clinical Trial articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
1. Novel vaccine candidates against Q-fever.
2. Immunological mechanisms responsible for inducing Q-fever vaccine-mediated hypersensitivity.
3. Infection models to evaluate Q-fever vaccine efficacy and safety.
4. Population studies on prevalence of adverse Q-fever vaccine events.
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q-fever, a zoonotic disease that transmits to humans mainly through inhalation of contaminated aerosols. The only vaccine licensed for human use is a formalin-inactivated whole cell vaccine (Q-Vax), which provides long-term immunity after a single dose. However, immunizing individuals with immunological memory results in a severe hypersensitivity response that has limited worldwide licensure of Q-Vax. Vaccination is subsequently restricted to serologically and skin test negative individuals, assessed prior to immunization. Adverse vaccine events can include severe local and systemic reactions including a dermal granulomatous inflammation at the injection site, as well as fever, headaches and fatigue.
C. burnetii has an almost global distribution and can remain endemic within a diverse range of animal reservoirs. Subsequently, human cases are most prevalent among veterinarians, farmers and abattoir workers however, many cases go undiagnosed since approximately 50% of individuals exposed to Q-fever are asymptomatic. Since it is not always clear who has been exposed, individuals must undergo serological surveillance and perform a skin test prior to vaccination. This pre-vaccination routine not only increases the time before someone can receive a vaccine, but it is also costly and prohibitive in some developing countries. Given that C. burnetii is also of military significance, given it is a Tier 2 Select Agent, there is an urgent need to develop low-cost, rapid response vaccines.
Vaccine-mediated hypersensitivity in individuals previously exposed to C. burnetii continues to be a significant barrier for licensing new vaccine candidates. The goal of this topic is to identify research that will advance the development of new Q-fever vaccines that are both safe and effective.
In this Research Topic, we aim to cover recent advances in the development of non-reactogenic vaccine candidates against Q-fever. Vaccine candidates could be derived from killed-whole cell, live attenuated, peptide, glycan or nucleic acid origins. However, authors should attempt to address the concerns surrounding vaccine-mediated hypersensitivity with their candidate vaccine.
We welcome the submission of Mini Reviews, Reviews, Original Research, Methods and Clinical Trial articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
1. Novel vaccine candidates against Q-fever.
2. Immunological mechanisms responsible for inducing Q-fever vaccine-mediated hypersensitivity.
3. Infection models to evaluate Q-fever vaccine efficacy and safety.
4. Population studies on prevalence of adverse Q-fever vaccine events.
