LONDON (TIP): The world’s first vaccine to help control symptoms of autism has been developed. The vaccine was created by Canada‘s University of Guelph researchers for gut bacteria common in autistic children which will help control symptoms of autism. More than 90% of children with autism spectrum disorders suffer from chronic and severe gastrointestinal symptoms of which 75% suffer from diarrhea. The scientists have now developed a carbohydrate-based vaccine against the gut bacteria Clostridium bolteae which is known to play a role in gastrointestinal disorders. The bacteria often shows up in higher numbers in the gastric tracts of autistic children than in those of healthy kids. Researchers Brittany Pequegnat and Guelph chemistry professor Mario Monteiro believe toxins and/or metabolites produced by gut bacteria may be associated with symptoms and severity of autism, especially regressive autism. Publishing their finding in the journal Vaccine, they said, “Little is known about the factors that predispose autistic children to C bolteae. A vaccine would improve current treatment. This is the first vaccine designed to control constipation and diarrhea caused by C bolteae and perhaps control autism-related symptoms associated with this microbe.”