One Health researcher Elsio Wunder is pushing science forward in the global fight against leptospirosis, a neglected but lethal disease that claims an estimated 60,000 lives each year.

Wunder is patenting a vaccine that uses four recombinant proteins — chosen for being highly conserved across dozens of Leptospira bacterial species — to offer broad protection. Early tests in rats, hamsters, and mice show up to 100% protection at certain doses, including blocking the bacteria from colonizing kidneys, which is key to stopping spread.

With support from a $3.8 million NIAID grant, the Wunder lab is aiming not just to protect animals, but ultimately to create a human vaccine for regions where leptospirosis is a serious public health crisis.

The Wunder lab is currently working with veterinary companies who may be interested in using these proteins to develop an animal vaccine for leptospirosis while working toward a vaccine that is safe for use in humans.

“The ultimate goal is to have a vaccine that is available for humans, especially because this disease is a major burden in developing countries,” Wunder says.