[Virulence and persistence of staphylococci: phenotypic manifestations and genetic control]

On the basis of the analysis of the results obtained in the studies carried out by the authors and the data of literature the alternating character of the expression of virulence factors (e.g., exotoxins and cytolysin) and persistence (in particular, immunoresistance factors) has been described, thus making it possible to characterize the above manifestations of the phenotype of staphylococci as two independent aspects of their pathogenicity. The data of literature on the genetic mechanism of the control of staphylococcal pathogenicity allow to make suggestions on the role of "global" genetic regulators in switching the biosynthesis of the microbial cell over from virulence factors to persistence factors.