Researchers at Aurora-based University of Colorado Hospital are conducting a clinical trial to test a vaccine for staph infections, CBS Denver reports.
The vaccine was designed by Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company to stimulate the immune system to fight against infections caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.
The infection is particularly concerning in patients undergoing spinal surgery, Vik Patel, MD, professor and chief of orthopedic spine surgery at UCH, told CBS Denver.
"It can lead to chronic infection. It can require additional surgeries to clean it up to get rid of the infection," said Dr. Patel. "It can be deadly, too."
The vaccine trial is expected to end in 2017.
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