review · Tropical Medicine & International Health
Antimicrobial resistance poses a severe global health challenge by limiting the effectiveness of treatments for previously manageable bacterial infections. Vaccines provide a critical alternative strategy to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens. Contemporary vaccine development utilises diverse technological innovations, including reverse vaccinology, structural biology methods, nucleic acid platforms such as DNA and mRNA, bioconjugates, nanomaterials, and generalised modules for membrane antigens. These tools underpin the development of new candidates currently progressing through preclinical and clinical evaluation alongside established vaccines. Nevertheless, significant obstacles persist across vaccine discovery, design, and clinical translation. These difficulties are particularly acute in low-income regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, which face high burdens of antimicrobial resistance combined with distinct systemic barriers to vaccine integration, discovery, and manufacturing development.
Rising antibiotic resistance compromises the ability to treat life-threatening bacterial infections worldwide. Developing effective vaccines prevents infections before resistance develops, safeguarding public health. Examining the performance of advanced vaccine platforms alongside the practical hurdles in high-burden, low-income regions helps policymakers, funders, and developers prioritise research resources where medical needs are greatest.
The work outlines technological pathways for vaccine developers and biotechnology companies employing platforms such as nucleic acids, bioconjugates, and nanomaterials. The covered technologies range from early-stage laboratory discovery to preclinical and clinical trial pipelines. Practical translation requires overcoming development and integration challenges specific to low-income markets, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where clinical delivery and local development infrastructure remain critical bottlenecks.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
The advent and use of antimicrobials have played a key role in treating potentially life-threatening infectious diseases, improving health, and saving the lives of millions of people worldwide. However, the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens has been a significant health challenge that has compromised the ability to prevent and treat a wide range of infectious diseases that were once treatable. Vaccines offer potential as a promising alternative to fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) infectious diseases. Vaccine technologies include reverse vaccinology, structural biology methods, nucleic acid (DNA and mRNA) vaccines, generalised modules for membrane antigens, bioconjugates/glycoconjugates, nanomaterials and several other emerging technological advances that are offering a potential breakthrough in the development of efficient vaccines against pathogens. This review covers the opportunities and advancements in vaccine discovery and development targeting bacterial pathogens. We reflect on the impact of the already-developed vaccines targeting bacterial pathogens and the potential of those currently under different stages of preclinical and clinical trials. More importantly, we critically and comprehensively analyse the challenges while highlighting the key indices for future vaccine prospects. Finally, the issues and concerns of AMR for low-income countries (sub-Saharan Africa) and the challenges with vaccine integration, discovery and development in this region are critically evaluated.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13865
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
