Klebsiella vaccine research and development in Africa: a rapid scoping review of current evidence and future priorities.

Authors

Chinwe Iwu-Jaja, Akhona Victress Mazingisa, Anelisa Jaca, Chidozie D Iwu, Charles Shey Wiysonge

Published in

BMJ public health. Volume 4. Issue Suppl 1. Pages e004451. Epub Jul 13, 2026.

Abstract

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major cause of neonatal sepsis in Africa and a WHO priority pathogen for vaccine development. With growing antimicrobial resistance and limited treatment options, maternal vaccination offers a potential preventive strategy. This scoping review synthesises evidence on K. pneumoniae vaccine research in Africa and highlights gaps to guide future research and development priorities.
A systematic PubMed search was conducted on 1 September 2025 to identify studies on K. pneumoniae vaccine research in Africa. Additional searches were conducted in ClinicalTrials.gov, the Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Eligible studies were screened, and data were extracted and synthesised using a framework focused on disease burden, vaccine development and implementation considerations.
A total of 14 studies published between 2008 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria, with most (11/14) published in the last 5 years. Studies reported a high burden of K. pneumoniae infections across multiple African countries, particularly in neonatal sepsis and meningitis. While genomic and immunological studies provided insights into vaccine target selection, no K. pneumoniae vaccine trials were identified in Africa. Modelling studies suggest that maternal immunisation with a 70% effective vaccine could prevent approximately 400 000 neonatal sepsis cases and 80 000 deaths annually worldwide, including Africa. Key research gaps include limited epidemiological surveillance and absence of immune correlates of protection.
Despite the high burden of K. pneumoniae neonatal infections in Africa, vaccine research remains in its early stages, with no ongoing clinical trials on the continent. Strengthening surveillance systems, advancing vaccine candidates and integrating K. pneumoniae vaccination into existing maternal immunisation programmes are critical next steps. Multisectoral collaboration among researchers, policymakers and continental and global health organisations will be essential to accelerate vaccine development and ensure equitable access in Africa.

PMID:
42453653
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Jul 2026.

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