Bacteria Glue Might Help Make Superbug Vaccine

Drug resistant bacterium might not be that bad after all, especially if it is one that produces some sticky glue which has the possibility of being developed into an effective vaccination against the MRSA pathogen, commonly called the ‘Superbug’.

Yes, what is now beginning to appear a possibility is that the superbug might be conquered finally, as told by researchers from Harvard Medical School this week on Wednesday.

The drug resistant bacteria have been found to produce sticky glue like substance. This substance is produced by the bacteria when they are growing a biofilm, mainly to protect themselves from antibiotics – the precise reason that makes them drug resistant.

Scientists have been able to detect a protective immune response produced by this substance when it is further manipulated in the laboratory.

The findings were sufficient enough to make the researchers realize they had the raw material for the potential MRSA vaccine in hand.

The sticky substance is a complex sugar called PNAG which the researchers said was a promising vaccine target because animal studies have shown it produces a protective immune response when manipulated chemically.

"We are targeting this material as a possible vaccine, but natural exposure to the sugar compound does not result in most people and animals making an immune response that would protect them from attack by the bacteria or recurring infections," said Gerald Pier of Harvard Medical School, in a statement.

This is the reason why the substance needs to be chemically altered, in order to produce the desired immune response.

The research which has produced the desired effect in animals would now be conducted on human beings in order to see which of the variants of the bacterial glue suits us best. The tests are scheduled to begin within the next 12 to 18 months as told by Pier.

If the research is successful on human beings it will surely come as a blessing in today’s times when MRSA has become one of the most serious problems in hospitals and other high risk public places.

MRSA or Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccus Aureus, is a deadly pathogen, for which medical fraternity is yet to find a perfect cure. Its infection causes boils on a milder note and bloodstream, lungs and surgical sites’ infections when the problem is severe.

Many a times it can lead to permanent irreversible damage and is very difficult to cure although some expensive intravenous antibiotics are available.