Clearance of Staphylococcus aureus from <i>In Vivo</i> Models of Chronic Infection by Immunization Requires Both Planktonic and Biofilm Antigens

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a causative agent of chronic biofilm-associated infections that are recalcitrant to resolution by the immune system or antibiotics. To combat these infections, an antistaphylococcal, biofilm-specific quadrivalent vaccine against an osteomyelitis model in rabbits has previously been developed and shown to be effective at eliminating biofilm-embedded bacterial populations. However, the addition of antibiotics was required to eradicate remaining planktonic populations.