Study unravels antibiotic resistance in MRSA ‘superbug’ infections

FINDINGSResearchers applied a new approach pioneered at UCLA to predict whichmethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA,infections willfail to respond toantibiotic treatment. By focusing on epigenetics — changes to gene expression that can’t be detected by standard DNA sequencing — the study examined how the immune system recognizes dangerous superbugs and works with antibiotics to clear them.BACKGROUNDThe Staphylococcus aureus bacterium can  live harmlessly on a person’s skin and in their nose, occasionally causing mild infections that can be treated with standard antibiotics. When itentersthe bloodstream, however, it can transform into a virulent and life-threatening pathogen that doesn ’t respond to most antibiotic treatments.One of the most feared superbugs, MRSA can spiral into sepsis and destroy tissues and organs, requiring the amputation of limbs. If unresponsive to treatment, such infections can end in death. Prolonged attempts to treat the infection with increasingly toxic antibiotics can also increase resistance risk and lead to kidney damage, hearing loss or worse.METHODThe  team used an approach developed at UCLA to study how methylation — a natural process in which the body modifies the activity of DNA without changing its sequence — can regulate the expression of some genes. These genes influence how the immune system protects against infection or partners wi th antibiotic therapy to clear stubborn infections.IMPACTThe team identifie...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news