Oral immunization against Helicobacter pylori - a future concept

The demonstration that oral immunization with lysates of Helicobacter or wi th Helicobacter pylori urease can protect mice against H. felis infection o pened the field of vaccine development against Helicobacter infections. Mor e recently, the same antigen preparations were used successfully as a thera peutic vaccine able to cure the infection, and additional protective antige ns were identified. Evidence from animal studies suggests that protection i s medicated by mucosal antibodies, in association with a T helper type 2 ce ll cellular immune response. Vaccine adjuvants, delivery systems, and thera peutic vaccination are likely to be the areas of major progress in the futu re.