In a significant discovery that could aid in the development of vaccinations that could save up to half a million lives annually worldwide, UK scientists have figured out how certain kids naturally develop immunity to the common bacterial infection Strep A.

Although Strep A frequently results in skin infections or a slight sore throat, it can occasionally be fatal.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in low- and middle-income nations pass away from the virus. This elevated risk is frequently associated with cardiac disease brought on by recurrent infections.

The particular antibodies that are associated with defense against the potentially lethal infection were discovered by researchers from the University of Sheffield.

“Our findings represent a significant step towards a safe and effective vaccine that could save around half a million lives here in the UK and around the world,” Dr. Alex Keeley of the Florey Institute of Infection at the University of Sheffield said.

“Now, for the first time in humans, we’ve been able to observe how antibodies that would be made following vaccination may be preventing infections and show how these antibodies may be working against Strep A,” Keeley said.

The study examined the development of antibodies, our innate defenses against infection, in Gambia residents from birth and throughout their lifetimes. It was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

It was discovered that although newborns have some maternal protection against Strep A, this protection quickly wanes.

After being exposed to Strep A, young children quickly develop antibody responses to different sections of the bacteria. Determining this crucial time for immunity development is an important finding for upcoming vaccination plans.

“Now we know how crucial the first few years of life are in developing immunity to Strep A, we can gain a much deeper understanding of how this immunity is developed,” Keeley stated.

“We hope this will lead to vaccine trials in different parts of the world to ultimately prove that vaccines can provide safe and effective protection against Strep A,” said the investigator.