Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes
08:34

Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes

Published on: September 27, 2018

Lung and pharyngeal abscess caused by enterotoxin G- and I-producing Staphylococcus aureus

S Y Barnett1, K L Hattotuwa, L Teare

  • 1Respiratory Department, Royal London Hospital, Barts and the London NHS Trust, Whitechapel, London E1 1BB, UK. snovelend@hotmail.com

The Journal of Infection
|December 6, 2011
PubMed

Insights

A severe Staphylococcus aureus infection caused extensive lung and pharyngeal abscesses. The combined presence of enterotoxins G and I may enhance bacterial virulence, leading to more severe disease.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen.
  • Severe infections can occur even without typical risk factors.
  • Bacterial toxins play a role in disease severity.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with extensive lung and pharyngeal abscesses.
  • The causative agent was meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus.
  • The patient lacked significant risk factors for severe infection.

Findings:

  • Enterotoxin G and enterotoxin I were detected in the abscess.
  • These toxins may act synergistically.
  • Synergistic action could lead to increased Staphylococcus aureus virulence.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a potentially more virulent Staphylococcus aureus strain.
  • Understanding toxin synergy is crucial for predicting infection severity.
  • Further research into enterotoxin interactions is warranted.

More Related Videos

Development and Assessment of Intracellular Infection Models for Staphylococcus aureus08:32

Development and Assessment of Intracellular Infection Models for Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: January 17, 2025

Open Tracheostomy Gastric Acid Aspiration Murine Model of Acute Lung Injury Results in Maximal Acute Nonlethal Lung Injury09:16

Open Tracheostomy Gastric Acid Aspiration Murine Model of Acute Lung Injury Results in Maximal Acute Nonlethal Lung Injury

Published on: February 26, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Diphtheria01:28

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...