Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 19, 2025
08:32
Development and Assessment of Intracellular Infection Models for Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: January 17, 2025
920
Pathogenicity and virulence of Staphylococcus aureus
Gordon Y C Cheung1, Justin S Bae1, Michael Otto1
1Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Virulence
|February 1, 2021
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) causes significant global mortality. Understanding its virulence factors is key to developing new treatments against antibiotic resistance and the lack of an effective vaccine.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathogen Research
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of infectious morbidity and mortality worldwide.
- S. aureus infections range from skin infections to life-threatening pneumonia and sepsis.
- Antibiotic resistance and the absence of a vaccine complicate S. aureus infection treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of how S. aureus initiates and maintains infection.
- To discuss the main virulence determinants involved in S. aureus pathogenesis.
- To highlight the importance of understanding virulence factors for developing anti-virulence strategies.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article, synthesizing existing research on S. aureus virulence.
- The review focuses on the mechanisms of S. aureus infection initiation and maintenance.
- Key virulence factors and their roles are discussed.
Main Results:
- S. aureus employs numerous toxins and virulence determinants to cause disease.
- These factors are crucial for pathogen survival, immune evasion, and tissue damage.
- Understanding these determinants is essential for therapeutic development.
Conclusions:
- A deeper comprehension of S. aureus virulence factors is critical.
- This knowledge can guide the development of novel anti-virulence strategies.
- Such strategies are needed to combat increasing antibiotic resistance and the lack of a vaccine.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
1.8K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
1.8K
01:28Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
244
Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
244
01:20Infection
10.0K
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
10.0K
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
4.7K
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
4.7K
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
13.0K
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.0K
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
5.1K
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
5.1K