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Investigating Pathogenicity and Virulence of Staphylococcus pettenkoferi: An Emerging Pathogen

Nour Ahmad-Mansour1, Lucile Plumet1, Sylvaine Huc-Brandt1

  • 1Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, UMR 5235, 34095 Montpellier, France.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus pettenkoferi, a multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen, demonstrates virulence by surviving human immune cells and causing mortality in zebrafish embryos. Genomic analysis reveals key virulence factors, advancing understanding of this understudied bacterium.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Staphylococcus pettenkoferi is an opportunistic pathogen implicated in human diseases.
  • Its multidrug resistance poses a significant health concern.
  • The pathogenicity of S. pettenkoferi remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the pathogenicity of a clinical S. pettenkoferi isolate with Staphylococcus aureus.
  • To investigate S. pettenkoferi survival in various human and murine cell lines and whole blood.
  • To assess S. pettenkoferi virulence using a zebrafish embryo infection model and perform whole-genome analysis.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro assays: growth kinetics, survival in RAW 264.7, THP-1, and HaCaT cell lines.
  • Ex vivo and in vivo assays: whole blood survival and zebrafish embryo infection models.
  • Whole-genome sequencing and analysis of virulence-associated genes.

Main Results:

  • S. pettenkoferi effectively survived in human blood, keratinocytes, murine macrophages, and human macrophages.
  • The pathogen induced significant mortality in zebrafish embryos, indicating virulence.
  • Genomic analysis identified virulence factors, including biofilm and regulatory genes (e.g., icaABCD, agr, sarA).

Conclusions:

  • S. pettenkoferi exhibits significant virulence and survival capabilities against host immune defenses.
  • The zebrafish embryo model is validated as an effective tool for studying S. pettenkoferi pathogenicity.
  • This study enhances knowledge of S. pettenkoferi as an emerging opportunistic pathogen.
Keywords:
Staphylococcus pettenkoferiemerging pathogenpersistencevirulencezebrafish infections

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