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Sydney Morning HeraldAustralian scientists are developing a potential "blockbuster" vaccine that could protect against golden staph, a leading source of infection in the world's hospitals. A major human trial is now getting under way, and more than 400 healthy volunteers are sought across the country to test how their bodies respond to the prototype vaccine.
Dr Peter Richmond said the bacteria, otherwise named Staphylococcus aureus, was posing a rising challenge to health authorities as antibiotic-resistant strains were now commonplace in hospitals and health care facilities. There were was also signs these superbug variants were circulating in the community, he said, and a vaccine that could prevent serious infections would help to save lives the world over.
"This is the first time (the prototype vaccine) has been used in man," Perth-based Dr Richmond also told AAP on Wednesday. "What we'll hopefully find out is what sort of boost to immunity the vaccine gives and whether or not it could stop you carrying this bug."
Dr Richmond said between 20 and 40 per cent of the population were unknowing carriers of the bacteria which usually live benignly on the skin or in the nose. These "colonised" people, and those who they newly exposed to the bacteria, had a risk of infection should they also suffer an accidental cut or be recovering from surgery. This could result in serious complications like pneumonia or a potentially life threatening infection of the brain membrane, heart valves or bone marrow.
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http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/aussies-to-test-golden-staph-vaccine-20100225-p3sp.html