Traditionally, antibiotics have been the go-to solution for combating infections caused by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. However, as global antimicrobial resistance grows more severe, experts are encouraging new approaches to tackle this issue.
While vaccines may offer an alternative solution, developing an effective means of immunizing against multidrug-resistant S. aureus has proven challenging, with numerous promising candidates failing in human clinical trials despite initial success in animal studies.
A group of Chinese scientists is now exploring a novel method to bypass past challenges by targeting a specific "surface loop" rather than a whole antigen. This critical segment is located on the S. aureus antigen known as MntC.
The surface loop holds promise as an ideal target because it plays a crucial role in helping S. aureus survive by reducing oxidative stress. By utilizing vaccine-induced antibodies that directly aim at this site, researchers believe they can prevent survival of the bacteria. This targeted area is known as an epitope.
In their report published in Science Translational Medicine, Chinese research teams across multiple institutions describe a groundbreaking vaccine tested on animal models. The vaccine focuses on a target identified from human clinical samples, addressing past hurdles and providing protection against drug-resistant S. aureus strains.