A team of researchers, led by Professor Ruth Massey from University College Cork (UCC) and Professor Rachel McLoughlin from Trinity College Dublin, has secured a €5.3 million award from the Wellcome Trust to study fatal bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including antimicrobial-resistant strains like MRSA. Collaborating with scientists from APC Microbiome Ireland, the University of Exeter, and the University of Bristol, the project aims to explore how S. aureus causes infections and evades the immune system, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care and developing new treatments.

Bloodstream infections, particularly those caused by S. aureus, are a significant global health threat, with increasing incidences each year. Despite this, the mechanisms behind these infections remain poorly understood, leaving patients vulnerable and treatment options limited. Around one-third of the human population carries S. aureus in their microbiome, putting them at a higher risk of infection.

The multidisciplinary team will develop the first detailed description of bacteria-host interactions, shedding light on the processes that determine infection severity. Through this research, they aim to identify critical intervention points to inform treatment strategies and reduce infection rates in healthcare settings.

Professor Massey, a Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI) Professor at UCC, describes the challenge: "We are locked in a battle in the dark against S. aureus bloodstream infections, where the bacteria currently have the upper hand." She emphasizes the role of the microbiome in both harbouring the bacteria and training the immune system to respond to infections. With this funding, the team hopes to illuminate the problem and create strategies to reduce infection rates and patient suffering.

Professor McLoughlin, based at the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI), highlights the importance of the research, stating: "This project offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capture and define the complex dynamics of how this major human pathogen causes disease." The project aims to identify biomarkers that can quickly assess patient risk and pave the way for new therapeutic developments.

Professor Mario Recker from Exeter University will oversee the data analysis and modelling aspects of the project. He notes that the extensive data generated will provide unprecedented insights into how bacteria interact with the human host, allowing for better predictions of infection outcomes and improved treatment options.

Paul Ross, Director of APC Microbiome Ireland, emphasizes the global importance of this research in combating S. aureus infections, while Professor Sarah Culloty from UCC and Professor Sinéad Ryan from Trinity praise the project’s potential to fill a critical gap in scientific understanding and improve patient care worldwide.