Possible Vaccine to Treat MRSA Superbugs Resistant to Antibiotics

University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) scientists were invited to present their findings to the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) on January 16, 2011.The URMC research team is lead by Edward M. Schwarz, Ph.D., and professor of Orthopaedics, as well as the associate director of the URMC Center for Musculoskeletal Research.
The team believes they’ve identified an antibody capable of reaching beyond the microbe’s surface and prevent the Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus (MRSA) bacteria from growing. They presented their findings at the ORS annual meeting in Long Beach, California, on January 16, 2011, reports ScienceDaily. This MRSA vaccine project has been funded partially by Codevax Incorporated, a vaccine development company.

Four Types of Superbugs: VRSA, VRE, MRSA and NDM-1

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), identifies three types of superbugs, they are:

In 2010, the fourth superbug was discovered and named NDM-1, reports Michelle Roberts, a health reporter for BBC News. The NDM-1 superbug is able to exist inside other bacteria and may also be able to penetrate bacteria that are currently resistant to antibiotics.
The most dangerous of the superbugs, according to CUPE, is the MRSA superbug. It is estimated that 40% of healthy people are ‘carriers’ of this bacteria and while very few of them will actually get ill from the bacteria, they are able to infect other people with it.
These bacteria are often found in hospitals and enter the skin through an open wound or crack. Patients in hospitals who are hooked up to an intravenous or use catheters are at high risk for contracting a superbug infection. Those who are elderly and very young are more likely to suffer adverse health affects if they contract the infection.

How ‘Breaking the Zipper’ May Treat MRSA Superbug Infections

The researchers set out to attack the glucosaminidase (Gmd) proteins that act like a zipper and open the impenetrable cell wall of bacteria. If Gmd is not present, staph aureus does not replicate efficiently and this would slow the bacterial growth. The team is working on ways to ‘break the zipper’ and prevent cell division. Animal studies have so far shown that when introduced to anti-Gmd antibodies and then to the MRSA superbug, 50% of the subjects did not contract the infection.

Treating Antibiotic Resistant Superbugs and Illnesses

Conventional medicine treats bacterial infections with antibiotics, but as the Mayo Clinic points out, misusing antibiotics only adds to the superbug problem. Not taking an antibiotic for the prescribed amount of time won’t kill off all the bacteria and instead, once the bacteria are exposed to the antibiotic they will become resistant to it. When the bacterium is spread to other individuals, it is now resistant to that type of antibiotic.
When first-line antibiotics do not work, less conventional methods may be used. These less conventional medications are often more costly and carry risk of more serious side effects. Treatment times are often longer as well and carry the risk of permanent health issues.
If the URMC team is successful in their research, then cases of superbug infections will lessen once a vaccine is in place.
In the meantime, the public is encouraged to practice prevention as the best method in combating superbug infections. The Mayo Clinic indicates that washing hands and surfaces with warm water and soap will kill germs; antibacterial products are not necessary. They also recommend using antibiotics only when necessary, such as the case with a bacterial infection that is not improving and to follow the instructions when taking antibiotics.
For the common cold and other viral illnesses, antibiotics are not required. Treat cold and flu symptoms with home treatments to ease discomfort; drink lots of water and get plenty of rest.


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