Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Acinetobacter baumannii represents a critical challenge in modern healthcare, driven by high levels of antimicrobial resistance and limited therapeutic options. Preventing infection, rather than reacting to it, offers a viable strategy to reduce both disease burden and antimicrobial usage.
In this talk, I will present an integrated approach to immunological intervention, combining outer membrane vesicle (OMV)-based vaccines and monoclonal antibody (mAb) discovery. Using OMVs derived from clinically relevant strains to immunise transgenic models, we generate diverse, high-affinity antibody repertoires targeting surface-exposed and conserved bacterial antigens. These platforms enable parallel identification of vaccine candidates and functional mAbs with bactericidal and opsonophagocytic activity.
In parallel, we are investigating host transcriptional responses in VAP to move beyond syndromic definitions and define biologically meaningful disease phenotypes. By linking pathogen-specific features with host response signatures, we aim to stratify infection, improve diagnosis, and identify windows for targeted immunological intervention.
Coupled with high-content imaging and genomic surveillance, we define antigenic landscapes and prioritise targets with maximal clinical relevance. Applied within the context of VAP, this strategy supports both prophylactic vaccination and passive immunisation approaches for high-risk patients.
Together, these approaches aim to shift the paradigm from treatment to prevention, reducing reliance on antibiotics and limiting the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.