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Updated: Jun 19, 2025

A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues
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A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues

Published on: February 19, 2019

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Modulation of Staphylococcus aureus gene expression during proliferation in platelet concentrates with focus on

Basit Yousuf1,2, Roya Pasha1, Nicolas Pineault1,2

  • 1Medical Affairs and Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Canada.

Plos One
|July 25, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus in platelet concentrates (PCs) can evade screening and cause harm. This study shows a specific strain (CBS2016-05) increases its virulence in PCs, activating platelets and reducing viability, impacting transfusion safety.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Hematology
  • Transfusion Medicine

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus contaminates platelet concentrates (PCs), potentially causing septic transfusion reactions.
  • Some S. aureus strains can evade routine PC culture screening methods.
  • Understanding strain-specific pathogenicity in the PC niche is crucial for transfusion safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the gene expression of S. aureus in PCs compared to standard media.
  • To compare the pathogenicity of a septic reaction isolate (CBS2016-05) versus a screened isolate (PS/BAC/317/16/W).
  • To determine the impact of S. aureus CBS2016-05 on platelet functionality and viability in spiked PCs.

Main Methods:

  • RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyze gene expression profiles.
  • Flow cytometry to assess platelet surface marker expression (CD41, CD42b, CD62P, annexin V).
  • Fluorescent viability dyes (MitoTrack Red FM, Calcein AM) to evaluate platelet mitochondrial function and viability.

Main Results:

  • S. aureus CBS2016-05 showed upregulated virulence genes (capsule, adhesion factors, anaerobic metabolism) in PCs versus TSB.
  • Spiked PCs with S. aureus CBS2016-05 exhibited decreased GP IIb/CD41 and GPIbα/CD42b expression.
  • Significant increases in platelet activation markers (CD62P, annexin V) and drastic reductions in platelet viability and mitochondrial function were observed in spiked PCs.

Conclusions:

  • S. aureus CBS2016-05 demonstrates enhanced pathogenicity within the unique platelet concentrate niche.
  • Bacterial contamination triggers platelet activation, apoptosis, and compromises mitochondrial function and viability.
  • Strain-specific interactions between S. aureus and platelets highlight the need for improved PC safety measures.

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