Circulating T-cell phenotypes are influenced by prior Staphylococcus aureus exposure in hemodialysis patients

Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections are a significant risk for hemodialysis patients, who would significantly benefit from a preventative vaccine. To-date S. aureus vaccine trials have failed, in part due to lack of consideration of pre-existing immune imprints in relevant patient cohorts. Using a machine learning algorithm this study revealed, prior S. aureus exposure in a cohort of 180 hemodialysis patients, was associated with an increase in circulating S. aureus antigen-specific exTh17 cells and reduced antigen-specific IL-10 producing CD4 cells and circulating NK cells and Vδ2 cells. It provides novel insights into pre-existing S. aureus immunity in hemodialysis patients that could inform next generation vaccine development.