Considering the 'Alternatives' for Next-Generation Anti-Staphylococcus aureus Vaccine Development.

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen, which can readily develop antibiotic resistance and result in severe disease. To combat antibiotic resistance, new treatment strategies are being developed with a particular focus on vaccine development. S. aureus vaccines that target humoral immunity alone do not provide sufficient protection from all disease phenotypes associated with this pathogen. Recent studies have identified the requirement for cellular immunity to provide a robust immune response to this infection. Driving conventional T cell responses has therefore become the focus of intense research in this area. Recently described 'alternative' T cells could provide a novel strategy for improving therapeutic efficacy and success in next-generation anti-S. aureus vaccine design.