Top Endemic Pathogens Revealed: WHO Shares List

A new study by the WHO (World Health Organisation) discovered 17 pathogens that regularly threaten the community’s health and require new vaccines. This study, published on eBioMedicine, reconfirmed the need for constant vaccine research and development for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. It identified pathogens such as Group A streptococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae as top priorities to control. 

The director of the immunisation, Vaccines, and Biological Departments, Dr Kate O’Brien, said, “Too often global decisions on new vaccines have been solely driven by return on investment, rather than by the number of lives that could be saved in the most vulnerable communities.” He added, “This study uses broad regional expertise and data to assess vaccines that would not only significantly reduce disease that greatly impact communities today but also reduce the medical costs that families and health systems face.”

The WHO requested several International and regional experts to identify factors that are important in selecting any particular vaccine for usage. These preferences were combined with regional data to determine the most dangerous pathogens globally. This helped identify the 17 most dangerous pathogens. 

In the WHO pathogen list, Group A streptococcus is one of the most dangerous that causes severe infections and contributes to 280,000 deaths from heart disease every year. 

Pathogens for which vaccines are ready and approaching regulatory approvals are dengue viruses, Group B streptococcus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, etc. Some pathogens like influenza virus, which causes flu and cold, norovirus, shigella species, etc., need further vaccine development.