Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms: importance and implications.

James P O'Gara1, Hilary Humphreys1

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Smurfit Building, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|July 11, 2001
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The β-lactam adjuvant guanosine potentiates anti-folate antibiotics and pyrimidine synthesis inhibitors by depleting thymidine in methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>.

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy·2026
Same author

Surgical site infections in the returning medical tourist: bridging the knowledge gap and identifying areas for improvement.

The Journal of hospital infection·2026
Same author

Surveillance of carbapenemase-producing organisms - considering the practical and local implications of current surveillance processes.

The Journal of hospital infection·2026
Same author

The β-lactam adjuvant guanosine potentiates anti-folate antibiotics and pyrimidine synthesis inhibitors by depleting thymidine in methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Mutation of lipoprotein processing pathway gene <i>lspA</i> or inhibition of LspA activity by globomycin increases MRSA resistance to β-lactam antibiotics.

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy·2025
Same author

Selective antimicrobial photodynamic therapy of clinical isolates from patients with infected diabetic foot ulcers using a small cationic chlorin.

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy·2025
Same journal

Suggestive associations between genetically predicted gut microbiota and endometriosis: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Journal of medical microbiology·2026
Same journal

Whole-genome sequencing of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> from maternal and neonatal clinical isolates in Kuwait.

Journal of medical microbiology·2026
Same journal

The Dynamiker cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay is an accurate, rapid and cost effective test comparable to culture for detection of cryptococcal meningitis.

Journal of medical microbiology·2026
Same journal

R pyocin sensitivity of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> clinical isolates from different disease types.

Journal of medical microbiology·2026
Same journal

Investigation of the efficacy of high-dose flucloxacillin therapy for borderline oxacillin-resistant (BORSA) <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> infections of <i>Galleria mellonella</i> larvae.

Journal of medical microbiology·2026
Same journal

Corrigendum: Cases of high consequence infectious diseases identified in the UK, 1962-2023.

Journal of medical microbiology·2026
See all related articles

Staphylococcus epidermidis causes device infections via biofilm formation. Understanding its virulence factors, like polysaccharide adhesin, and phase variable regulation is key to developing new treatments and preventing hospital-acquired infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biomaterials Science

Background:

  • Coagulase-negative staphylococci, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis, are significant nosocomial pathogens.
  • These bacteria commonly colonize human skin and mucous membranes, complicating diagnosis and treatment of device-associated infections.
  • Biofilm formation on implanted biomaterials is a critical challenge in managing these infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advances in understanding Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation.
  • To explore the role of extracellular polysaccharide adhesin and its phase variable regulation in virulence.
  • To discuss implications for infection control and therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on Staphylococcus epidermidis pathogenesis.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms controlling polysaccharide adhesin synthesis via the ica operon.
  • Examination of epidemiological data regarding strain virulence and origin.

    • Main Results:

    • Extracellular polysaccharide adhesin is a key virulence factor required for biofilm formation in S. epidermidis.
    • Production of this adhesin is regulated by a phase-variable ON/OFF switching mechanism.
    • Understanding this regulation offers insights into bacterial adaptation and infection persistence.

    Conclusions:

    • Phase variable regulation of polysaccharide adhesin synthesis impacts S. epidermidis virulence and infection dynamics.
    • Further research into these molecular events can inform novel therapeutic interventions.
    • Preventive strategies include improved biomaterials and physical barriers alongside antibiotic prophylaxis.