Vaccines for the Prevention of Melioidosis and Glanders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Burkholderia pseudomallei's and Burkholderia mallei's high rate of infectivity, limited treatment options, and potential use as biological warfare agents underscore the need for development of effective vaccines against these bacteria. Research efforts focused on vaccines against these bacteria are in pre-clinical stages, with no approved formulations currently on the market.

RECENT FINDINGS: Several live attenuated and subunit vaccine formulations have been evaluated in animal studies, with no reports of significant long term survival after lethal challenge.

SUMMARY: This review encompasses the most current vaccine strategies to prevent B. pseudomallei and B. mallei infections while providing insight for successful vaccines moving forward.