THE infamous bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which has been linked
with stomach ulcers, inflammation and even cancer, may soon be flushed out of
its hiding place in the stomach lining by a new vaccine.
Speaking at the conference, Cesare Montecucco of the University of Padua in
Italy described his research into how the bacterium hijacks cells in the stomach
to get food. He told New Scientist that the work has enabled Chiron
Vaccines of Siena to produce the world’s first vaccine against H.
pylori. Clinical trials of the vaccine are due to begin later this year.
“It’s already been fully substantiated in animals,” Montecucco says.…
