Scientists have developed a groundbreaking immunization against Lyme disease that targets the microbiomes of ticks and mosquitoes. Rather than targeting the pathogen that causes the disease, the vaccine targets the microbes that the pathogen requires to survive. A new study investigating a vaccine that did just that demonstrated it was remarkably successful in mice. 

Lyme disease is a debilitating condition caused by the Borrelia genus that can leave a human or animal weak and bedridden for a decade. It’s been previously discovered that Borrelia pathogens can alter a tick’s gut microbiome. A new study found that by immunizing mice with a harmless E. coli bacteria as a Trojan horse, it elicited an immune response within the tick’s gut that greatly reduced the amount of Escherichia-Shigella, a common bacterial taxa found within the guts of mice and humans. 

It’s a lot to think about, since mosquitoes and ticks spread far more than just Lyme disease and malaria. It also shows, yet again, just how critical the gut microbiome is to the health of all organisms. These antimicrobiota vaccines are interesting for other pathogens because they specifically target the vector microbiota, said Dr. Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, an infectious disease researcher and author on both the tick and mosquito papers. As the microbiota is essential for many vector-borne pathogens, this approach could be used to target a wide range of diseases, whether caused by viruses, parasites, or bacteria.

While human use for a vaccine typically takes 8-10 years of tests and development, a similar vaccine could be prepared for animals such as dogs, cats, and livestock much sooner which would have the potential to save pet owners hundreds in veterinary bills, and ranchers tens of thousands.