heat-killed Escherichia coli ST38

Heat-killed Escherichia coli ST38 is an experimental whole-cell inactivated vaccine (WCV) candidate and research tool used in the study and prevention of sepsis and extraintestinal pathogenic *Escherichia coli* (ExPEC) infections. Developed by researchers at the University of Queensland, it consists of *E. coli* bacteria from the ST38 sequence type—a lineage frequently associated with carbapenem resistance and OXA-48 carbapenemase production—that have been rendered non-viable through heat treatment. This inactivation process preserves the structural integrity of various pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan, and outer membrane proteins. When used as a vaccine, it stimulates the innate immune system via Toll-like receptors (primarily TLR4 and TLR2) and induces an adaptive immune response, including the production of opsonizing antibodies and T-cell activation. In preclinical research, it is employed in murine models of abdominal gram-negative sepsis to evaluate host immune dynamics and the efficacy of immunization strategies against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains.

Other names

Heat-killed E. coli ST38Inactivated E. coli ST38 vaccineHK-ST38HK-ST-38HK-ST 38