Staphylokinase production by clinical Staphylococcus aureus strains

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacterial Pathogenesis
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Staphylokinase (SAK) is a virulence factor in Staphylococcus aureus, enhancing proteolytic activity, tissue damage, and bacterial invasiveness.
• Understanding SAK production is crucial for assessing the pathogenicity of S. aureus strains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate staphylokinase production in 95 S. aureus strains, including reference strains and clinical isolates.
• To investigate the relationship between SAK production and clinical isolate source (cystic fibrosis airways, skin lesions, bone infections), biochemical properties, and pathogenicity.

Main Methods:

• Culturing and biochemical analysis of 95 Staphylococcus aureus strains.
• Quantification of secreted staphylokinase (SAK) production.
• Correlation analysis between SAK production and isolate source, and other phenotypic properties.

Main Results:

• Over 62% of tested S. aureus strains produced secreted staphylokinase.
• SAK production was significantly more prevalent in isolates from skin and soft tissue infections compared to other groups.
• Phenotypic properties of SAK-producing and non-producing strains showed similar general tendencies.

Conclusions:

• Staphylococcus aureus strains exhibit phenotypic diversity in SAK production.
• SAK production correlates with the type of infection, particularly skin infections.
• SAK production can serve as a marker for bacterial invasiveness and inform strategies for eradicating staphylococci carriage.