A group of scientists from University College Cork (UCC) at the APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre, along with researchers from the UK and Ireland, have been awarded a €5.3 million prestigious Wellcome Trust Discovery Award to study the primary cause of fatal bloodstream infections, which are a major global cause of illness and death.
The most common cause of these deadly bloodstream infections worldwide is the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and other antimicrobial resistant (AMR) strains of S. aureus exacerbate this serious clinical issue.
Despite advances in modern medicine, the incidences of S. aureus bloodstream infection is increasing year-on-year and scientists and doctors have no definitive understanding of why this is. Furthermore, these bacteria are present in the microbiome of approximately one third of the human population, and it is well established that those colonised by S. aureus are at higher risk of infection.
The frequency of S. aureus bloodstream infections is rising annually despite advancements in contemporary medicine, and researchers and medical professionals are unsure of the exact cause of this trend. Furthermore, it is well known that those colonized by S. aureus have an increased risk of illness. These bacteria are found in the microbiomes of around one third of the human population.
By combining their multidisciplinary knowledge, they will now create the first comprehensive account of the crucial interactions between bacteria and hosts that regulate the onset and intensity of a S. aureus bloodstream infection, contributing to the crucial advancement of knowledge regarding the pathogenic mechanisms of this infamous human pathogen.
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