MRSA, Staph, Staff, Mersa, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Symptoms & Treatment

Vaccine protection against Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia

Link: Vaccine protection against Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia -- Wardenburg and Schneewind, 10.1084/jem.20072208 -- The Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia causes significant mortality in hospitalized or healthy individuals, and recent increases in morbidity are attributed to the rapid spread of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains, which are often not susceptible to antibiotic therapy. {alpha}-Hemolysin (Hla), a secreted pore-forming toxin, is an essential virulence factor of MRSA in a mouse model of S. aureus pneumonia. We show that the level of Hla expression by independent S. aureus strains directly correlates with their virulence. Active immunization with a mutant form of Hla (HlaH35L), which cannot form pores, generates antigen-specific immunoglobulin G responses and affords protection against staphylococcal pneumonia. Moreover, transfer of Hla-specific antibodies protects naive animals against S. aureus challenge and prevents the injury of human lung epithelial cells during infection. Thus, Hla vaccination or immunotherapy may prevent S. aureus pneumonia in humans.

A vaccine for Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia? -- DeLeo and Otto, 10.1084/jem.20080167 -- The Journal of Experimental Medicine

Link: An antidote for Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia? -- DeLeo and Otto, 10.1084/jem.20080167 -- The Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the leading cause of bacterial infections in the United States. Severe invasive MRSA infections, which include pneumonia, are difficult to treat because the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. A new report now shows that immunization against {alpha}-hemolysin (Hla), a cytolytic toxin secreted by most S. aureus strains, protects mice against lethal pneumonia. This finding represents the first successful vaccine strategy for the treatment of staphylococcal pneumonia.

Surface proteins of Staphylococcus aureus may provide vaccine

Link: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

     Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infection. Because of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, these infections represent a serious public health threat. To develop a broadly protective vaccine, we tested cell wall-anchored surface proteins of S. aureus as antigens in a murine model of abscess formation. Immunization with four antigens (IsdA, IsdB, SdrD, and SdrE) generated significant protective immunity that correlated with the induction of opsonophagocytic antibodies. When assembled into a combined vaccine, the four surface proteins afforded high levels of protection against invasive disease or lethal challenge with human clinical S. aureus isolates.

Superbug vaccine 'shows promise'

Link: Superbug vaccine 'shows promise'

     A vaccine to guard against hospital superbug MRSA is a step closer, according to scientists. US researchers have developed a vaccine that protected mice from four potentially deadly strains of MRSA. Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team said the study could lead to a human vaccine, though more work was needed. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus often strikes in hospitals where patients' immune systems are weak. It is difficult to fight because it has developed a resistance to certain antibiotics. The team looked for a vaccine using a technique called 'reverse vaccinology', which builds on recent genetics advances. It involved sifting through the genome of Staphylococcus aureus to hunt for proteins on the microbe that might spark the body's immune system into action, producing protection against the bacteria. The team identified four proteins that prompted a strong immune response, making them good targets for vaccines.

VACCINE BID TO BEAT BUG

Link: Mirror.co.uk

      RESEARCHERS claim to have found a possible vaccine to prevent MRSA. Now they are working with a manufacturer to develop the jab, which would be given to patients and staff in hospitals. Around a quarter of the population carry the bug harmlessly in their noses. The team at Sheffield University found it produces more than 100 proteins during human infection. Non-carriers have a potential natural immunity against some of the proteins, which led to the vaccine. Human trials are planned by US firm Biosynexus, which funded the research. Prof Simon Foster, who is working on the vaccine, told the Journal of Infectious Diseases: "MRSA is difficult to treat due to the increase of resistance towards antibiotics used in hospitals. This has led to renewed efforts to develop a vaccine."

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals Initiates Phase I Study of Staphylococcus aureus Type 336 Vaccine

Link: Infection Control Today

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals announced today the initiation of the first human clinical study for its vaccine being developed to prevent Staphylococcus aureus type 336 infections in at-risk patients.  Patients at the highest risk for S. aureus infections include dialysis patients, patients undergoing certain types of invasive surgery, patients in intensive care or shock-trauma units, patients receiving cancer chemotherapy or other immune suppressive treatments, and patients in long-term care facilities.  This is a Phase I study that will evaluate safety and immune response of the vaccine in healthy volunteers.

Much more detail at the link above

Researchers test vaccine to prevent MRSA

Link: Researchers test vaccine to prevent dangerous Staphylococcal infections.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center infectious diseases researchers are launching a trial for a new vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus. The vaccine, if proven effective, could help curb the growing threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an emerging organism rapidly spreading through close personal contact. The new vaccine, called StaphVAX , is a conjugate vaccine that was developed for patients who are at high risk of S. aureus infections. StaphVAX targets S. aureus types 5 and 8, the cause of approximately 85 percent of all S. aureus infections. "This vaccine appears to be very safe, and has proven so in several other trials, even among study recipients with serious chronic illnesses," said Buddy Creech, M.D., a fellow in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the study's co-investigator. StaphVAX is intended to stimulate a recipient's immune system to produce antibodies to S. aureus that provide active, long-term protection from the bacteria. "Previously, this vaccine has been tested in both healthy and chronically ill patients, has been found to be safe, and has generated a substantial immune response. In addition, this vaccine has been effective in reducing the risk of staph infections in a study of dialysis patients," said Thomas Talbot, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine & Preventive Medicine, associate hospital epidemiologist, and the study's other principal investigator

MRSA Vaccine firm open in Eire

Link: RTE Business - US drug developer opens in Bray.

Nabi develops and markets products that help the immune system to fight infectious diseases. One of its products is StaphVAX, an immunisation against the bacterial infection MRSA, which affects 10,000 hospital patients a year in Ireland. Click here to find out more! The Bray operation will initially be involved in marketing and sales for the European market. It will employ up to 40 people by the end of 2006. A second stage of development may include the construction a manufacturing facility.