Vaccine breakthrough in ’superbug’ battle
Published: April 11, 2006
IT STRIKES fear into the hearts of hospital patients across the country.
And in South Yorkshire MRSA is on the rise, according to figures released by The Department of Health.
But now scientists from The University of Sheffield have discovered what could be a possible vaccine for the feared hospital ’superbug’.
The highly infectious disease - full name Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - is currently a major problem in many NHS institutions.
Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust reported 57 cases of MRSA during the six months up to September last year, compared to 52 in the six months before.
Rotherham General Hospitals NHS Trust saw the number of reported infections go up from two to nine during the same period, Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust saw a rise from five to 10, and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust saw a rise from 13 to 15 cases.
At present there is no vaccine available, and the bug is difficult to stop, as it is carried in the noses of about a quarter of the human population at any one time.
But research carried out by Sheffield University’s Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology identified more than 100 proteins made by the bug during human infection.
Research indicated non-carriers of the infectious agent have a potential natural immunity against some of the proteins - meaning scientists could develop possible immunisation against carrying the bug in the nose.
They then proved their theory via vaccination with selected bug proteins, which provided the protection needed.
The research shows a vaccine could be developed which might not only prevent MRSA but might also eliminate nasal carriage to stop the spread of the bug in hospitals. The bacterial proteins found by the scientists are now being developed by commercial collaborators as vaccine components to prevent disease and spread of MRSA.
Professor Simon Foster said: “MRSA is difficult to treat due to the increase of resistance towards antibiotics currently being used in UK hospitals.
“This has led to renewed efforts to develop a vaccine against the infection and, as our research has shown, potentially nasal carriage as well.
“The current emphasis on tackling hygiene in hospitals is very important, but should be viewed as part of a larger strategy.
“If we are to eliminate the huge human tragedy and financial burden of MRSA, development of a vaccine will be a crucial part in achieving this goal.”
Last month it was revealed Sheffield’s adult hospitals had missed a target to cut their level of MRSA superbug infections by as much as a fifth.
Sheffield Teaching Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust was set a national target of no more than 82 cases of the infection by April, but recorded a total of 88 cases at the end of the financial year.
Managers have been set a new target to reduce MRSA figures by 30 per cent this year to 60 overall.
A spokeswoman said significant progress had been made to bring the numbers down.
An extra £1 million has been invested in tackling MRSA at the hospitals over the last year, by providing alcohol handrub at every patient bedside and introducing new ward housekeepers.
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