Perth trial begins on investigational Golden Staph vaccine

Perth researchers are calling for volunteers to help test an investigational vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph).

 

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 UWA School of Paediatrics and Child Health.

 

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria which lives on the skin and mucosal membranes of more than 20% of the population.

 

Study leader Dr Peter Richmond said golden staph is a leading cause of infection worldwide, particularly in healthcare settings.  It is responsible for a large proportion of post-operative infections that can range from mild to severe.

 

“The treatment of golden staph is a major problem in hospitals due to the rapid rise of antibiotic resistant strains of the bacteria,” Dr 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 age groups:

• between 18 and 24 years of age
• between 50 and 85 years of age.

 

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 nationwide.

 

 

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Media contacts:
Elizabeth Chester
0409 988 530 or 9489 7965
elizabeth@ichr.uwa.edu.au

 

Tammy Gibbs
9489 7963 or 0408 946 698
tammyg@ichr.uwa.edu.au