Immunoprophylaxis and molecular epidemiology of anthrax and the fate of Bacillus anthracis in living vectors and the environment of Namibia and South Africa

拟议的项目包括（1）调查南非和纳米比亚炭疽的分子和环境流行病学，（2）研究芽孢杆菌（B.）炭疽病在环境栖息地和昆虫媒介中的传播;（3）在实验室啮齿动物和山羊中进行的研究，以比较重组肽和DNA候选疫苗与这些国家许可的活孢子疫苗的免疫原性、保护效力和安全性。该项目将研究B的遗传多样性。利用现代分子指纹鉴定技术，对在牲畜、野生动物和人类以及环境生境中传播的炭疽病进行了研究，并研究了基因型与空间、时间和宿主分布之间的关系。将在微观世界和实地研究中调查水坑和其他所谓的“集中区”以及自由生活的变形虫在野生动物公园及其周围炭疽流行病学中的作用。将进行疫苗保护试验，以测试单独和组合的无细胞细菌和类毒素抗原，以及编码各种抗原的质粒DNA疫苗。将研究在爆发期间给予抗生素同时接种无细胞疫苗作为可能的治疗方案的可行性。支持科学的目的是通过在多国学术网络框架内交流人员和技术技能，支持纳米比亚、南非和德国年轻科学家的学术和职业生涯。

The project proposed encompasses (1) investigations of the molecular and environmental epidemiology of anthrax in South Africa and Namibia, (2) studies on the fate of Bacillus (B.) anthracis in environmental habitats and within insect vectors and (3) studies in laboratory rodents and goats to compare the immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and safety of recombinant peptide and DNA vaccine candidates with those of the live spore vaccine licensed in these countries. The project will address the genetic diversity of B. anthracis, circulating in livestock, wildlife and humans and in environmental habitats and the relationship between genotype and spatial, temporal and host distribution, using modern molecular fingerprinting techniques. The roles of water holes and other so-called “concentrator areas” and of free living amoebae in the epidemiology of anthrax in wild life parks and their surroundings will be investigated in microcosm and field studies. Vaccine protection trials will be carried out to test acellular bacterial and toxoid antigens, individually and in combination, and a plasmid DNA vaccine encoding various antigens. The feasibility of giving antibiotics at the same time as immunisation with acellular vaccines as a possible treatment schedule during an outbreak will be studied. Underpinning the science is the aim to support the academic and professional careers of young Namibian, South African and German scientists through exchange of personnel and technological skills within the framework of a multi-national academic network.