Vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases

Some progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of a number of sexually transmitted diseases. The unique evasion strategies which this group of pathogens utilize make vaccine development particularly difficult. There are considerable efforts now being directed at the possibility of human immunogenicity testing of a gonococcal porin vaccine. While considerable work needs to be done, it appears reasonable that Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein may be a future vaccine antigen. The identification of a Haemophilus ducreyi toxin which may play a role in ulcer formation enhances the possibility that an antitoxin type vaccine might be feasible to prevent ulcers. The gD2 herpes simplex vaccine trials have shown promise that recurrent viral infections may be controlled.