An in-silico-designed multiepitope vaccine candidate can efficiently protect mice against pathogenic species of Shigella

Shigella species remain a major global health concern, causing gastrointestinal infections with significant morbidity and mortality. The rise of antibiotic-resistant Shigella strains underscores the urgent need for effective vaccines. This study evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a novel multi-epitope recombinant protein vaccine against pathogenic Shigella species in a murine model. The multi-epitope antigen was expressed in E. coli and purified for immunization. BALB/c mice were subcutaneously immunized, and immune responses were assessed through serum IgG quantification (ELISA) and challenge studies. Immunized mice exhibited significantly higher antigen-specific IgG titers compared to controls (p < 0.05). Subsequent challenge with 10LD₅₀ of virulent Shigella flexneri and Shigella boydii demonstrated robust protection, with vaccinated mice surviving lethal infections. Our findings indicate that this in silico-designed multi-epitope vaccine elicits potent humoral immunity and confers cross-species protection against clinically relevant Shigella pathogens. These results support its potential as a promising candidate for further vaccine development against shigellosis.