Patch protects travellers from holiday diarrhoea

Scientists in the U.S. have developed a patch which protects people from stomach bugs picked up during foreign travel.

The patch which is impregnated with toxins produced by the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium, offers protection from diarrhoea attacks caused by E. coli, a common cause of food poisoning.

The patch was found to be 75% effective against diarrhoea attacks caused by E. coli in trials with volunteers where even those who became ill recovered far more quickly.

Stomach upsets are common complaints amongst people travelling to certain parts of the world, the symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps, can be very debilitating and often leave people incapacitated or weak for days.

The study authors, scientists with the biotech company IOMAI in Maryland, estimate such attacks affect up to 27 million travellers each year and experts say 40% of diarrhoea cases are caused by E. coli.

The E.coli toxins in the patch prime the immune system to cope better when confronted with the real thing.

The Phase II safety and efficacy trial involved 178 travellers who were given either a placebo 'dummy' patch, or one containing the toxin, before travelling through Mexico or Guatemala, areas known to be hot spots for stomach troubles.

It was found that a fifth of those with the "dummy" patches developed moderate diarrhoea or severe diarrhoea far more often than the treated group and the those in the treated group who became ill ,their recovery was much quicker - half a day compared with two days.

Eleven percent of the travelers who were given the placebo had severe diarrhea, compared to 2 percent of those who were given the patch and the vaccine also appeared to protect against non-ETEC causes of diarrhea.

They researchers say immunisation with the patch could protect travellers against the common, debilitating ailment and prevents severe illness and experts suggest the needle-free approach could also work against other infectious diseases.

A Phase III trial of the vaccine is now planned before approval for the patch is sought from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The study is published in the Lancet medical journal.