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Stanford Scientists Develop ‘Universal’ Nasal Spray to Combat Colds, Flu, and Covid
A revolutionary “universal vaccine” administered via a nasal spray could soon provide a single shield against the common cold, all forms of influenza, and even bacterial lung infections.
Researchers at Stanford University in the United States have developed a treatment that represents a “radical break” from over two centuries of traditional vaccine design.
Unlike conventional jabs that train the immune system to recognise specific pathogens—such as measles or polio—this new approach puts the body’s natural internal defences on permanent high alert.
The findings, published in the journal Science and reported by the BBC, suggest the spray could also mitigate certain allergies and protect against Covid-19.
A ‘Fireside’ State of Readiness
The mechanism mimics the way immune cells communicate. When administered, the spray targets macrophages—white blood cells in the lungs—placing them in what researchers call an “orange alert” state.
In animal trials, this state of heightened vigilance lasted approximately three months. The results were dramatic:
- Pathogen reduction: A 100 to 1,000-fold decrease in the number of viruses crossing the pulmonary barrier.
- Rapid response: If pathogens did break through, the rest of the immune system mobilised at “lightning speed.”
- Bacterial protection: The spray proved effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii.
Professor Bali Pulendran, a specialist in microbiology and immunology at Stanford, noted the response is “much broader” than traditional methods, effectively tackling almost every virus tested and even reducing allergic reactions to house dust mites.
Potential to Transform Public Health
Professor Daniela Ferreira of the University of Oxford, who was not involved in the study, described the research as “truly exciting.”
She suggested that if human trials mirror the animal results, it could “transform how we protect populations against common respiratory infections.”
Experts envision two primary roles for the spray:
- Seasonal Protection: A winter spray to bolster immunity against the multitude of circulating respiratory viruses.
- Pandemic Response: A stop-gap measure to save lives and buy time for the development of targeted vaccines during a new outbreak, similar to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Risks and Uncertainties
Despite the optimism, British experts have urged caution. Jonathan Ball, Professor of Molecular Virology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, warned of the risk of “friendly fire.” He noted that keeping the immune system in a state of hyper-vigilance could potentially trigger excessive inflammatory reactions.
Further questions remain regarding delivery:
- Will a simple nasal spray suffice for humans, or will a nebuliser be required to reach the deep zones of the lungs?
- Will the duration of immunity in humans match the three months observed in mice?
- How will the complex, “pre-exposed” human immune system react compared to laboratory animals?
Next Steps
The Stanford team emphasised that this tool is intended to supplement, rather than replace, existing vaccines.
Clinical trials are planned next, where volunteers will be vaccinated and then controlledly exposed to infectious agents to monitor their biological response.
Source: Defi Media
