A research of the University of Navarra identifies new virulence factors of Brucella bacteria.
Una investigación de la Universidad de Navarra identifica nuevos factores de virulencia de la bacteria Brucella
A research of the University of Navarra identifies new virulence factors of Brucella bacteria.
Raquel Conde's work has given rise to the University's partnership with the international project 'InfectX'.
Raquel Conde, researcher at department of Microbiology and Parasitology of the University of Navarra, has identified a component of the membrane of Brucella bacteria -causing brucellosis- that is core topic in the virulence of this pathogen.
goal Likewise, in the elaboration of her doctoral thesis the scientist has analyzed the use of mutants in these components, with the aim of manufacturing a truly effective vaccine against the disease: "The preliminary results, in murine model , are very promising and have already given rise to a patent. In this sense, the finding of a vaccine for animals that clearly improves the current ones would avoid useless sacrifices and great economic losses in the countries suffering from the disease", explains the new doctor.
FAO estimates the number of animals susceptible to brucellosis at about 4 billion issue . Of these, 80% are in developing countries development. "In the case of humans," he explains, "the disease is serious, it is disabling, requires costly treatment and can leave after-effects. And although it mainly affects domestic animals, it can be transmitted to humans through contact with them or through the consumption of unsanitized dairy products".
New laboratory against brucellosis
Raquel Conde is now doing her postdoc in Basel (Switzerland), where she has promoted a possible partnership of the University of Navarra in the project InfectX: a study involving several laboratories to compare different pathogens - Bartonella, Listeria, Vaccinia Virus, Shigella - and to know how they use the genes of host cells to enter them and cause disease.
"Likewise, in Basel we are setting up a laboratory with a high level of security, necessary to work with Brucella, with the goal to include this pathogen in the project InfectX. In her study, it will certainly be interesting to have the experience of the University in this field", emphasizes the graduate of the School Sciences.