Novel targeted immunotherapy approaches for staphylococcal infection.
BACKGROUND
Staphylococcus aureus is a leading human pathogen in the hospital and the community. Many S. aureus strains are resistant to antibiotics, making treatment of S. aureus infections often very complicated. In contrast to many other bacterial pathogens, a working vaccine has never been found for S. aureus despite considerable efforts in academia and pharmaceutical companies.


METHODS
The latest strategies aimed at finding a working vaccine against S. aureus, including active and passive immunization efforts in pre-clinical and clinical stages, and the molecular reasons for why it may be difficult to develop a vaccine are discussed.


RESULTS
In addition to receiving an overview of current efforts in S. aureus vaccine research, the reader will understand that vaccine development for S. aureus may be difficult owing to the facts that S. aureus is a commensal microorganism and produces toxins that lyse white blood cells, thereby undermining a vaccine's role as a facilitator of opsonophagocytosis.


CONCLUSIONS
As a result of failed clinical trials with monovalent traditional vaccines, recent developments include a shift towards the potential use of polyvalent formulas and therapeutic antibodies and more systematic selection of optimal antigens.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, The National Institutes of Health, Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. motto@niaid.nih.gov
Michael
M
Otto
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013209:Staphylococcal Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology*; D017211:Treatment Failure
D013209:Staphylococcal Vaccines