Staph Vaccine Study

Staph or Staphylococcus aureus is a common germ. It can cause a life threatening condition called “bacteremia” (an infection in the blood, also known as “blood poisoning”).

Why is S. aureus a problem for

surgery patients?

Many surgery patients have an increased risk of developing a S. aureus infection for two primary reasons:

1) Surgery patients will have a surgical wound that might become infected. S. aureus is one of the most common bacteria causing wound infections.

2) Bacteria resistant to many antibiotics are more common in the hospital. Resistant organisms, such as S. aureus, are harder to treat and therefore prevention of infection is the goal of vaccines.

3) Why a vaccine?

Vaccines are given to prevent a disease before it occurs. They stimulate the body’s natural defenses (immune system) to increase substances (antibodies) used to prevent infections. Just as the flu vaccine is used to prevent you from getting the flu, this vaccine is being tested to see if it can be used to prevent S. aureus infections.

4) How is this vaccine given?

Like the flu vaccine, is administered by injection into your upper arm or leg.