S. Aureus
PERTH, Australia — Researchers here are calling for volunteers to help test an investigational vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus.
The study is being conducted by the Vaccine Trials Group at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in conjunction with Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and University of Western Australia School of Paediatrics and Child Health.
S. aureus lives on the skin and mucosal membranes of more than 20 percent of the population.
Study leader Dr. Peter Richmond said S. aureus is a leading cause of infection worldwide, particularly in health care settings. It is responsible for a large proportion of post-operative infections that can range from mild to severe.
“The treatment of golden staph [S. aureus] is a major problem in hospitals due to the rapid rise of antibiotic resistant strains of the bacteria,” Richmond said.
“There is a need to develop a vaccine to help prevent invasive disease caused by staph.”
The study hopes to recruit more than 100 healthy adult volunteers in two groups: 18- to 24-year-olds; and 50- to 85-year-olds.
Participants will be asked to keep an electronic diary of symptoms and provide blood samples.
The trial will be assessing the safety of the vaccine and will provide information on the body’s immune response, and the required dosage for future trials.
The study will involve 408 people in Australia.
Healthy adults interested in finding out more about participating in the study can contact a research nurse at 9340 8542.