To understand how bacteria, concretely Brucella uses eritrirol, a molecule that is present in some living creatures, could play an important role in the eradication of brucellosis. According to the paper of the investigators of the Institute of Tropical Health of Universidad de Navarra Amaia Zúñiga and Ignacio Moriyón, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal, this finding could help to improve current vaccines against this infectious disease.

"It has been suggested that the capability of Brucella to use eritritol is related with the abortions provoked by the current vaccines, based on this, this discovery could help develop other safer vaccines", mentioned the investigator from Navarra Amaia Zúñiga.

Brucellosis is an animal disease that can affect humans with what is known as "Malta Fever". The presence of the disease provokes great economic and social losses mainly in places with fewer resources, being this the reason why the World health organization considers it one of the most important "forgotten diseases".

 This study done in cooperation with the Namur University (Belgium), la Lovaina Catholic University (Belgium) and the Sarre University (Germany), emerged during a stay of the investigator Amaia Zúñiga at the Belgian academic centre.