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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A Zebrafish Embryo Model for In Vivo Visualization and Intravital Analysis of Biomaterial-associated Staphylococcus aureus Infection
10:04

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Published on: January 7, 2019

Insertion sequence elements associated with Staphylococcus epidermidis evolution in persistent orthopaedic

James C Littlefair1, Carolin M Kobras2,3, Virginia Post4

  • 1Department of Biology, Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.

BMC Genomics
|July 11, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Insertion sequence (IS) elements drive genetic changes in Staphylococcus epidermidis during orthopedic device infections. These pre-adapted bacteria, already resistant and forming biofilms, persist due to IS element activity, not new resistance mutations.

Keywords:
Staphylococcus epidermidisAntimicrobial resistance (AMR)BiofilmIS256Insertion sequence (IS) elementsOrthopaedic device-related infections (ODRIs)PathoadaptationStaphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec)Within-host evolution

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Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A Zebrafish Embryo Model for In Vivo Visualization and Intravital Analysis of Biomaterial-associated Staphylococcus aureus Infection
10:04

A Zebrafish Embryo Model for In Vivo Visualization and Intravital Analysis of Biomaterial-associated Staphylococcus aureus Infection

Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Staphylococcus epidermidis frequently causes challenging orthopedic device-related infections (ODRIs).
  • These infections are complicated by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and biofilm formation.
  • Evidence for rapid within-host adaptation of S. epidermidis to medical devices is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate within-host evolution of S. epidermidis during chronic infection.
  • Analyze the genetic diversification mechanisms in epidemic lineages (ST2 and ST23).
  • Examine the role of genetic changes in adaptation to the orthopedic device niche.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of S. epidermidis isolates from patients with ODRIs.
  • Utilized a rat infection model to study strain evolution.
  • Examined genetic diversification through whole-genome sequencing and mutation analysis.

Main Results:

  • Replicative transposition of insertion sequence (IS) elements was the primary driver of genetic diversification.
  • The IS256 family was responsible for approximately 25% of observed mutational events.
  • No mutations, including those showing parallel evolution, were found to influence AMR or biofilm formation; strains were likely pre-adapted.

Conclusions:

  • IS elements play a significant role in the genetic diversification of S. epidermidis.
  • The study suggests pre-adapted S. epidermidis clones are well-suited for persistent ODRIs.
  • Further research is needed to understand the contribution of IS elements to pathoadaptation in persistent infections.