Anthrax, toxins and vaccines: a 125-year journey targeting Bacillus anthracis

Abstract

Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, a disease that plagues both humans and various animal species. Effective vaccines are available, but those approved for human use are crude culture supernatants that require multiple injections and a yearly boost. Many experts agree that it is now time for the next generation of human vaccines against anthrax. Accordingly, this review will succinctly focus upon: pathogenesis of B. anthracis, with particular emphasis upon the immune system; the pertinent biophysical nature of protective antigen, which includes how the protein toxin component affords protection as a vaccine target; alternative methods for improving protective antigen as an immunogen; and additional B. anthracis antigens that might further sustain protective titers in humans. In addition to a better understanding of the disease process elicited by B. anthracis, which will logically lead to better vaccines (and therapeutics), there also needs to be the same level of open-mindedness applied to the politics of anthrax.

Keywords::

• anthrax
• Bacillus anthracis
• PA
• pathogenesis
• protective antigen
• vaccine

Acknowledgements

The authors very much appreciate the sage advice and valuable time shared with Phil Pittman during the generation of this manuscript. His unique knowledge of existing anthrax vaccines and human studies, current and past, added greatly to this work.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This review was made possible by a formal Engineer-Scientist Exchange Program established between the governments of France and the USA. All opinions are solely those of the authors and do not reflect official government views. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.