Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Opsonophagocytic Killing Assay to Assess Immunological Responses Against Bacterial Pathogens
08:47

Opsonophagocytic Killing Assay to Assess Immunological Responses Against Bacterial Pathogens

Published on: April 5, 2019

Vaccine protection against Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia

Juliane Bubeck Wardenburg1, Olaf Schneewind

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|February 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia is a growing threat. Targeting the alpha-hemolysin (Hla) toxin through vaccination or antibodies shows promise in preventing this dangerous lung infection.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia causes significant mortality.
  • Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains are increasing and often antibiotic-resistant.
  • Alpha-hemolysin (Hla) is a key virulence factor in S. aureus pneumonia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Hla in S. aureus pneumonia.
  • To evaluate the potential of Hla as a vaccine target.

Main Methods:

  • Assessing the correlation between Hla expression levels and S. aureus virulence in a mouse pneumonia model.
  • Active immunization using a non-pore-forming Hla mutant (Hla(H35L)).
  • Passive transfer of Hla-specific antibodies.

Main Results:

  • Hla expression level directly correlates with S. aureus virulence.
  • Active immunization with Hla(H35L) induced protective immune responses (IgG).
  • Transfer of Hla-specific antibodies protected naive mice and human lung cells.

Conclusions:

  • Hla is a critical virulence factor for S. aureus pneumonia.
  • Hla-based vaccination or immunotherapy is a potential strategy to prevent S. aureus pneumonia.
  • Targeting Hla offers a promising therapeutic avenue against MRSA infections.

More Related Videos

Opsono-Adherence Assay to Evaluate Functional Antibodies in Vaccine Development Against Bacillus anthracis and Other Encapsulated Pathogens13:47

Opsono-Adherence Assay to Evaluate Functional Antibodies in Vaccine Development Against Bacillus anthracis and Other Encapsulated Pathogens

Published on: May 19, 2020

Evaluating the Immune Response of a Nanoemulsion Adjuvant Vaccine Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection07:32

Evaluating the Immune Response of a Nanoemulsion Adjuvant Vaccine Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection

Published on: September 1, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention01:30

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention

Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
Streptococcal Pharyngitis01:27

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as “strep throat,” is an acute infection of the oropharyngeal tissues caused by the Gram‑positive Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, or talking.Mechanisms of Host Entry and Immune EvasionUpon entering the host, S. pyogenes adheres to the mucosal epithelial cells of the pharynx via surface proteins, notably lipoteichoic acid and the antiphagocytic...