Experimental ‘Hulk mode’ vaccine could protect patients against superbugs

A VACCINE that sends immune cells into “Incredible Hulk mode” could protect patients against all hospital superbugs, researchers claim.

It works within 24 hours, lasts for up to 28 days and can halt all antibiotic-resistant infections — including MRSA.

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Dr Brad Spellberg, of the Los Angeles General Medical Center, said it acts as an “early warning” to the immune system to defend itself.

He added: “When you have superbugs lurking, that’s when you want the Hulk waiting to pounce.”

In many cases, infections are caused by superbugs such as MRSA.

The infections spread via contaminated surfaces or equipment, such as catheters or ventilators, or though person-to-person spread, often from contaminated hands.

Risk is highest among intensive care patients who may suffer surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Typical vaccines usually prompt the body to make antibodies against a specific pathogen but – despite the high incidence of healthcare-acquired infections -there are currently no approved vaccines that prevent the most serious, antibiotic-resistant infections.

Dr Brian Luna, of Keck School of Medicine at USC, said: “Even if there were such vaccines, multiple vaccines would have to be deployed simultaneously to protect against the full slate of antibiotic-resistant microbes that cause healthcare-acquired infections.”

He said the new experimental vaccine takes an entirely different approach as it “gooses” the body’s pre-existing supply of pathogen-gobbling immune cells called macrophages, which engulf and digest bacteria, fungi and other bad actors.

It has been tested on mice and the developers hope to progress to human trials.