Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is one of the world’s biggest public health challenges. One of these bacteria is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known by the acronym MRSA. Although they are commensal organisms, that is, they interact with humans without causing disease, in some cases, disruption of the relationship between these bacteria and the host can be harmful to health. The study, led by Fabienne Antunes Ferreira, a microbiologist and researcher at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), seeks to understand these interactions between the human organism and pathogens, more specifically in the state of Santa Catarina.
The aim of the study is to understand why the infection rate of this antibiotic-resistant bacteria is lower in Santa Catarina compared to other states in the country. In Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, and Parana, about 30 to 60% of Staphylococcus aureus is MRSA. However, in Santa Catarina, this reported rate was 2 to 8%. “Perhaps, Santa Catarina could be a future model for preventing the growth of these bacteria, as they are naturally inhibited in some way,” explains the researcher.
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that colonizes the tissues of humans and other warm-blooded animals. According to data from scientific studies, about 30% of the world’s population have cells of this microorganism in their nasal cavity, without causing any harm. Although it has a high incidence of asymptomatic, an imbalance in the relationship between this bacterium and its host can lead to infections in the bloodstream, skin, heart, and other tissues. There are still no concrete studies on the factors that cause this imbalance, however, it is known that Staphylococcus aureus has shown great adaptation to the human organism and resistance to antibiotic therapy.
research project
This study was configured as a basic science project, i.e., although it does not provide immediate results to the population, it serves as a basis for further applied research. “The goal here is really to provide a basis for understanding the biology of the microorganism and, accordingly, to create public policies to generate direct intervention,” Fabian notes. Research was conducted to compare MRSA from Santa Catarina and other states, seeking to understand why the infection rate is low here. Studies of the genome and adaptability of these bacteria have also been conducted, as well as analysis of their colonization in elderly populations.
One of the difficulties mentioned by the researcher is the lack of recognition of the importance of this type of project by research funding institutions. “I have submitted this project to the funding agencies, to CNPq, to Fapesc, to Serrapilheira.” Fabian account. According to the microbiologist, the resources go mainly to research that generates an instant product.
Fabienne believes that while it is not an applied research, the project needs vision. According to the researcher, understanding the biology of MRSA will make it possible to discover the cause of infection in Santa Catarina being much lower than in the rest of Brazil, and will help the therapeutic approach in other states, in addition to influencing public policies to control S. aureus infections. The main objective of the project is to save lives. We need to understand these bacteria, and how they interact with humans, in order to prevent them from causing disease.
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