Can a vaccine protect you against eight deadly superbugs? Scientists may have an answer

An experimental vaccine may be able to protect Americans from multiple superbug infections that are responsible for killing nearly 100,000 people a year.

Researchers in California designed a vaccine formula to prevent serious infections from drug-resistant pathogens that infect people who are hospitalized. 

The team said the vaccine, made from just three ingredients, could put immune cells into ‘Incredible Hulk mode’ to protect against EIGHT infections contracted in hospitals, such as MRSA, for up to 28 days.

Dr Brad Spellberg, lead researcher and chief medical officer at Los Angeles General Medical Center, said: ‘It’s an early warning system. It’s like Homeland Security putting out a terror alert. “Everybody, keep your eyes open. Keep an eye out for suspicious packages.”

‘You’re alerting the soldiers and tanks of your immune system. The vaccine activates them. “Oh my, there’s danger here. I better turn into the Hulk.” I mean, when you have bad superbugs lurking, that’s when you want the Hulk waiting to pounce… right?’

Researchers found one dose of an experimental vaccine was effective in preventing infections for up to 28 days in mice 

The vaccine was developed by researchers from the University of Southern California’s (USC) Stevens Center for Innovation and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

In the study published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the researchers evaluated the shot’s impact on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which are infections patients contract while in the hospital. They found one dose was effective within 24 hours and could provide protection for up to 28 days in mouse models.  

The vaccine contains just three ingredients. Two of them, Al(OH)3 and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), are compounds already used in many vaccines. The third, whole glucan particles (WGP), come from the cell walls of plants, fungi, and algae.

There are no preventative treatments for these infections other than keeping equipment and hands clean. Antibiotics are the main treatment for HAIs once they are contracted, though many of these infections are resistant to them.

Many HAIs are caused by MRSA superbugs, which stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. These spread via contaminated surfaces or equipment, such as catheters or ventilators, or through person-to-person spread, such as contaminated hands. 

MRSA is caused by staph bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, making it more difficult to treat. It causes swollen, painful red bumps that look like acne or spider bites. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, the area may be warm to the touch, filled with pus, and accompanied by a fever.

The researchers said the highest risk is among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, who are more likely to suffer from infections at their surgical sites, bloodstream and urinary tract.  

If not treated quickly, MRSA infections can spread to the bloodstream, lungs, heart, bones and joints.  

Each year, HAIs affect more than 772,000 people in the US and kill more than 90,000. On any given day, one in 31 hospitalized Americans, or 8.2 million, people has one of these infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Typical vaccines prompt the body to make antibodies against a specific pathogen, the researchers said. 

 However, there are no vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for more serious, antibiotic-resistant infections like MRSA. 

Dr Brian Luna, study author and immunologist at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, said: ‘Even if there were such vaccines, multiple vaccines would have to be deployed simultaneously to protect against the full slate of antibiotic-resistant microbes that cause healthcare-acquired infections.’

This new vaccine, however, targets a type of immune cells called macrophages, which are already in the body and digest harmful bacteria and fungi. These neutralize invaders, like infections, before they can overwhelm the immune system and cause serious illness or death.

Jun Yan, study author and USC medical student, said: ‘This is very different from developing new antibiotics. This is using our own immune system to fight against different superbugs, which is a different approach than everybody else.’

The researchers are now seeking FDA guidance on starting human trials.