Study reports MRSA immunization may be on horizon

A team of researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center, N.Y., reportedly developed a vaccine that could prevent bacterial infection of orthopedic implants, according to research presented at the Orthopaedic Research Society 2012 Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

"What makes staphylococcus such a challenging pathogen is that it has an ironclad cell wall," Edward Schwarz, PhD, professor of Orthopaedics, Medicine, Urology, Microbiology and Immunology, and director of pathology at the Center for Musculoskeletal Research, said in an press release. "But, that is also its Achilles' heel."

According to the release, the antibody developed by Schwarz and colleagues reportedly prevents methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria from dividing properly. To divide, Schwarz explained in the release, the cell must unzip its wall to break into two separate cells. The antibody, he noted, attacks glucosaminidase or Gmd, a component of that zipper, preventing normal bacterial cell division by causing them to form clusters of cells.

For the study, the researchers tested the antibody prior to implantation of a MRSA-infected pin to simulate an infected joint replacement. They monitored bacterial growth and found the antibody reportedly protected 50% of the sample from infection.

Further analysis, according to the release, revealed the antibody prevented formation of sequestrum or dead bone - a hallmark of osteomyelitis. Immunization also reportedly led to decreased bacterial presence on the pins themselves.

The findings indicate that immunization could be used to prevent MRSA infection or reinfection of orthopedic implants, the release noted.

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