Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
In Vivo Pathogenicity of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Strains Carrying Panton-Valentine Leukocidin
Funda Yildirim1, Mert Sudagidan2, Ali Aydin3
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul 34500, Turkey.
Abstract:
Toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus strains posing a potential risk for public health have long been a topic of scientific research. Effects of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) on tissue destruction mechanisms and activities of inflammatory cells were presented in animal models of pneumonia and skin infections induced by PVL-producing S. aureus strains. This study aimed to demonstrate the in vivo pathogenicity of PVL-producing S. aureus strains isolated from some foodstuffs, which can be a potential risk to public health. PVL-positive methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strains M1 and YF1B-b isolated from different foodstuffs and a PVL-positive MSSA strain HT480 (positive control) were administered to New Zealand rabbits. Blood samples were harvested three and six hours after the intratracheal inoculation. Lung tissue samples were collected for gross and microscopic exams and immunohistochemical (IHC) demonstration of IL-6, IL8, IL-10, and TNF-α expressions. Serum cytokine levels were also measured by ELISA. The strains isolated from lung tissue samples were confirmed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The development of acute necrotising pneumonia and a significant elevation in IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α expressions demonstrated the significance of foodborne PVL-positive MSSA strains in public health for the first time.
Insights
Foodborne Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus strains can cause severe lung infections. This study confirms their pathogenicity in rabbits, highlighting a significant public health risk from contaminated food.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus strains, particularly those producing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), are a significant public health concern.
- Previous research has explored the effects of PVL on tissue damage and inflammation in animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo pathogenicity of PVL-producing Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from foodstuffs.
- To assess the public health risk associated with these foodborne pathogens.
Main Methods:
- PVL-positive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains from food were inoculated into New Zealand rabbits via intratracheal administration.
- Blood and lung tissue samples were collected for cytokine analysis (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α) via ELISA and immunohistochemistry, and histopathological examination.
- Bacterial isolates were confirmed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.
Main Results:
- Intratracheal inoculation led to the development of acute necrotizing pneumonia in rabbits.
- A significant elevation in serum and tissue levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and IL-10 was observed.
- PVL-positive MSSA strains were successfully re-isolated from lung tissues.
Conclusions:
- Foodborne PVL-positive MSSA strains possess significant in vivo pathogenicity.
- These findings demonstrate a novel public health risk associated with consuming contaminated food products.
- The study underscores the importance of monitoring food sources for potentially harmful S. aureus strains.
More Related Videos
12:27Quantifying the Cytotoxicity of Staphylococcus aureus Against Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
Published on: January 3, 2020
11:32Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
