Treatment of Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis Using Engineered Probiotic Bacteria

**公开描述**本项目旨在开发预防复发性细菌性阴道病（BV）的新疗法。大约30%的女性患有细菌性阴道炎，使其成为育龄妇女最常见的阴道感染。细菌性阴道炎是由阴道内有害细菌的过度生长引起的。引起细菌性阴道炎的主要问题细菌被称为阴道加德纳菌。这种细菌通过性接触、胃肠道或阴道灌洗等活动传播，在阴道内繁殖，破坏正常生活在阴道环境中的健康、自然的细菌。_G的所有载波。阴道炎面临性传播感染、流产（增加10倍）和早产（增加一倍）的风险增加。一些细菌性阴道炎患者还会出现心理上的痛苦症状（腥臭/灰白色分泌物），这会严重影响精神/性健康。最常见的细菌性阴道炎治疗是抗生素处方。然而，抗生素虽然能暂时缓解症状，但并不能防止细菌性阴道炎的复发。复发通常发生在已知事件之后，这促使_G再次生长。阴道疼痛：这可能包括与新的性伴侣的互动或月经。接受抗生素治疗的细菌性阴道炎患者中有50%在治疗后6个月内复发。重要的是，抗生素不能用于预防性治疗细菌性肠胃炎，因为这种抗生素的使用可能导致抗菌素耐药性的传播。在这个项目中，我们的目标是开发一种突破性的治疗方法，帮助女性在性病发生之前预防它。这种疗法将采取一种益生菌的形式，由患者在BV的关键触发事件周围进入阴道。为了开发这种治疗方法，我们将选择一种在健康阴道中常见的细菌（乳酸杆菌）。然后我们将设计它，使它能够“检测”_G。阴道有问题。我们将进一步修改我们的治疗细菌，以便当它“检测”到_G的存在时。阴道炎，它产生并释放一种抗菌剂到阴道环境中，这种抗菌剂专门针对并杀死细菌。阴道炎，防止细菌性阴道炎的发展。这种细菌益生菌将是第一个为患有复发性/慢性细菌性阴杆菌的妇女提供的积极预防治疗，并有助于完全解决与显著负面产前健康结果相关的令人痛苦的状况。本项目中详细的研究将主要由CC生物科技有限公司与学术机构合作进行。在项目结束时，我们将开发出一种治疗性益生菌，可以进行动物安全性/有效性研究/人体临床试验。

**Public description**This project aims to develop new therapies for the prevention of recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV). Around 30% of women suffer from BV, making it the most common vaginal infection of women of childbearing age. BV is caused by the overgrowth of unwanted bacteria within the vagina. The main problematic bacterium which causes BV is called _Gardnerella vaginalis_. Introduced from sexual contact, the GI tract, or through activities such as vaginal douching, this bacterium colonises the vagina, destroying the healthy, natural bacteria which normally live in the vaginal environment.All carriers of the _G. vaginalis_ face increased risks of STI transmission, miscarriage (ten-fold increase) and preterm birth (doubled risk). Some BV patients also experience psychologically distressing symptoms (foul-fishy odour/grey white discharge) which can significantly affect mental/sexual health.The most common BV treatment is the prescription of antibiotics. However, while relieving symptoms temporarily, antibiotics don't prevent BV recurrence. Recurrence usually occurs after a known events which encourage re-growth of _G. vaginalis_: this can include interaction with a new sexual partner or menstruation. 50% of BV patients who have been treated with antibiotics experience BV recurrence within 6 months of therapy. Importantly, antibiotics cannot be used preventatively to treat BV, as this type of usage of antibiotics could lead to the spread of antimicrobial resistance.In this project, we aim to develop a groundbreaking therapy which would help women to prevent BV before it starts. This therapy will take the form of a probiotic bacterium, to be administered into the vagina by the patient around key trigger events for BV.To develop this therapeutic, we will select a bacteria which is commonly found in the healthy vagina (Lactobacillus). We will then engineer it, to enable it to "detect" when _G. vaginalis_ is present. We will further modify our therapeutic bacterium so that when it "detects" the presence of _G. vaginalis_, it produces and releases an antimicrobial into the vaginal environment which specifically targets and kills _G. vaginalis_, preventing BV developement. This bacterial probiotic would be the first actively preventative therapy available for women who suffer recurrent/chronic BV, and help fully resolve a distressing condition which is associated with significant negative pre-natal health outcomes.The research detailed in this project will primarily be conducted by CC Biotech Ltd, in collaboration with academic institutions.At project conclusion, we will have developed a therapeutic probiotic which is ready for animal safety/efficacy studies/human clinical trials.