Finally, some focus on prevention! A study in this month’s Lancet found that a vaccine can help to prevent travelers’ diarrhea. The vaccine, which targets that nasty bug E coli, was developed by the Iomai Corporation, and comes in the form of a skin patch. Study participants were given two patches, to be worn two to three weeks apart, before traveling to Mexico or Guatemala. The patches contained either a small amount of E coli or a placebo.

The results showed that the vaccine was safe. The individuals who received the vaccine had significantly less moderate-to-severe and severe diarrhea than the placebo individuals. The few vaccinated individuals who did get sick had significantly shorter diarrhea episodes than the placebo group.

This is excellent news in terms of prevention of IBS. It has been estimated that one out of every 10 individuals who experience an acute bacterial infection such as travelers’ diarrhea will develop a chronic case of IBS. If the incidence of travelers’ diarrhea can be reduced, the incidence of IBS will be reduced. Hooray! The vaccine is slated for further testing and it is hoped it will be made available in 2009.

For more information on travelers’ diarrhea:

• How To Avoid Traveler's Diarrhea
• Don't Ruin Your Vacation with Traveler's Diarrhea
• Symptom Checker: Travelers’ Diarrhea

Sources:

Frech, S. “Use of a patch containing heat-labile toxin from Escherichia coli against travellers' diarrhoea: a phase II, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled field trial” The Lancet 2008 371:2019-2025.

Garcia Rodriguez, L. & Ruigomez, A. “Increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome after bacterial gastroenteritis: cohort study.” BMJ 1999 318:565-566.