Understanding how MRSA bacteria survive in the bloodstream despite antibiotic treatment
Official title: Epigenomic Mechanisms & Contextual Immunity in Persistent MRSA Bacteremia
Funded at Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center · NIH-11091668 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why MRSA, a tough bacteria that can cause infections in the blood, sometimes sticks around even when antibiotics should work, and it's aimed at helping patients by finding better ways to treat these stubborn infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Torrance, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $597,740 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI172713-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091668 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with persistent MRSA bacteremia who have not responded adequately to standard antibiotic therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-bacterial infections or those who do not have MRSA bacteremia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can persist in the bloodstream of patients, even when laboratory tests show that the bacteria should be susceptible to antibiotics. The study aims to analyze the immune responses and genetic factors that allow MRSA to evade treatment, focusing on the unique characteristics of persistent infections. By examining these factors, researchers hope to identify new therapeutic strategies to combat MRSA bacteremia and improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients suffering from persistent MRSA infections, potentially reducing mortality rates.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been attempts to develop vaccines and treatments for MRSA, this specific approach to understanding antibiotic persistence is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeaman, Michael R — Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Yeaman, Michael R
Related research
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Rapid pathogen ID and antibiotic testing for bacteremia using immune capture, microfluidics, and AI
A fast, AI-assisted diagnostic system will identify bacteria in blood and determine which antibiotics are likely to work, helping doctors treat bacteremia sooner.
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A small, patient-facing prediction rule is being developed to help doctors decide which febrile children with sickle cell disease really need aggressive testing and antibiotics.
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A hospital-focused immunotherapy approach uses a mix of antibodies to help fight blood infections from Staphylococcus aureus by blocking immune evasion and bacterial growth.
-
Defining how macrophages fight Klebsiella in the blood
This grant studies how innate immune cells called macrophages protect against Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections to help reduce sepsis mortality.
-
Epigenomic clues and immune context in stubborn MRSA bloodstream infections
Researchers are studying why some MRSA bloodstream infections persist despite antibiotics and how the immune system and bacterial DNA packaging (epigenetics) influence this, with the goal of better treatments.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.