Article
Ophthalmology
William L. Johnson, Michael Sohn, Collynn F. Woeller, Rachel A. F. Wozniak
Summary: A comparative genomics study revealed that a set of secreted enterotoxins were found with higher prevalence among ocular versus non-ocular S. aureus clinical infection isolates, suggesting a key role for these toxins in keratitis. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that these enterotoxins have direct cytotoxicity toward corneal epithelial cells and can increase bacterial burden. Therefore, the study supports a novel role for staphylococcal enterotoxins in promoting virulence in S. aureus keratitis.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Andrew J. R. Cooper, Jonah Clegg, Fearon C. Cassidy, Andrew E. Hogan, Rachel M. McLoughlin
Summary: This study investigates the direct response of human mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection. The results show that MAIT cells rapidly upregulate CD69, express IFN gamma and Granzyme B, and degranulate when co-cultured with dendritic cells (DCs) infected with S. aureus. The immune response is mediated by DC secretion of IL-12 and requires TCR binding of MR1. Furthermore, MAIT cell cytotoxicity leads to apoptosis of S. aureus-infected cells and reduces intracellular persistence of S. aureus.
Article
Immunology
Justin S. Bae, Fei Da, Ryan Liu, Lei He, Huiying Lv, Emilie L. Fisher, Govindarajan Rajagopalan, Min Li, Gordon Y. C. Cheung, Michael Otto
Summary: The study found that Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) contributes significantly to the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus, suggesting the value of including SEB as a target in multipronged antistaphylococcal drug development strategies. Furthermore, it indicates that SEB contributes to fatal exacerbation of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Shalini Shah, Rachel A. F. Wozniak
Summary: Bacterial keratitis is a leading cause of vision loss globally. Immediate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics is crucial to adequately treat this aggressive disease, but antibiotic resistance is increasingly limiting the effectiveness of conventional therapies. This review discusses the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two common causes of bacterial keratitis, and explores novel therapies under development.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
James R. Price, Maho Yokoyama, Kevin Cole, Jonathan Sweetman, Laura Behar, Simon Stoneham, Daire Cantillon, Simon J. Waddell, Jonathan Hyde, Ruhina Alam, Derrick Crook, John Paul, Martin J. Llewelyn
Summary: Traditional sampling underestimates the carriage of S. aureus among elective cardiothoracic patients, which explains the majority of apparent S. aureus acquisitions.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Peng Gao, Yuanxin Wei, Rachel Evelyn Wan, Ka Wing Wong, Ho Ting Venice Iu, Sherlock Shing Chiu Tai, Yongli Li, Hin Cheung Bill Yam, Pradeep Halebeedu Prakash, Jonathan Hon Kwan Chen, Pak Leung Ho, Kwok Yung Yuen, Julian Davies, Richard Yi Tsun Kao
Summary: Misuse of antibiotics can lead to the emergence of resistant strains and worsen infections. This study found that beta-lactam and tetracycline antibiotics can exacerbate infections by inducing bacterial virulence. Therefore, combination therapy and appropriate treatment plans should be considered when antibiotics are needed.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sylwia Banaszkiewicz, Aleksandra Tabis, Bartosz Walecki, Karolina Lyzwinska, Jaroslaw Bystron, Jacek Bania
Summary: Little is known about the structure of S. aureus population and the enterotoxin gene content in wild boar. In this study, 121 S. aureus isolates were identified from nasal swabs of wild boars, and 18 isolates were found to carry staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes. The production of SEs was evaluated in microbial broth, and various concentrations of SEs were detected. Thirty-nine spa types were identified among the S. aureus isolates, including 12 new spa types. The findings suggest that wildlife animals, such as wild boars, may serve as a significant reservoir of see-positive S. aureus.
Review
Microbiology
Caitlin C. Murdoch, Eric P. Skaar
Summary: Trace metals play essential roles in the interactions between bacterial pathogens and animal hosts. They promote enzyme catalysis and stabilize reaction intermediates, while also preventing bacterial proliferation. The cell-specific and tissue-specific roles of distinct trace metals in shaping bacterial infections have implications for future research and new therapeutic development.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adeline Espinasse, Manibarsha Goswami, Junshu Yang, Onanong Vorasin, Yinduo Ji, Erin E. Carlson
Summary: The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria has led to the need for novel approaches and targets to combat this challenge. Bacterial two-component systems (TCSs) are important in bacterial adaptive responses and are linked to antibiotic resistance and virulence. A study developed maleimide-based compounds and evaluated them against a model histidine kinase, resulting in the identification of a molecule that decreased the lesion size caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus skin infection by 65% in a murine model.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gi Yong Lee, Soo-Jin Yang
Summary: The emergence and spread of cfr-mediated resistance to linezolid in staphylococci is a serious global concern. This study identified a single nucleotide mutation (Q148K) in cfr as the reason for linezolid susceptibility in cfr-positive Staphylococcus aureus and non-aureus staphylococci.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marie Bourget, Marie Pasquie, Helene Charbonneau, Eric Bonnet
Summary: This study compared the morbidity and mortality rates of patients with endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus (E-SA) and endocarditis caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (E-CNS). The results showed comparable rates of embolic complications, surgical management, and mortality between E-SA and E-CNS.
Article
Immunology
Zhaotao Li, Pavani Beesetty, George Gerges, Maureen Kleinhenz, Melissa Moore-Clingenpeel, Ching Yang, Luul B. Ahmed, Josey Hensley, Lisa Steele, Anita S. Chong, Christopher P. Montgomery
Summary: The study found that S. aureus-specific antibody levels and T-cell responses increase with age, indicating a coordinated development of anti-staphylococcal immunity. Young infected children had higher levels of certain antibodies compared to healthy children, but these differences disappeared with age. Both global and S. aureus-specific T-cell function were impaired in children with invasive and noninvasive infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yasaman Vahdani, Negin Faraji, Setareh Haghighat, Mohammad Hossein Yazdi, Mehdi Mahdavi
Summary: This study demonstrated that immunization with r-IsdE raised total IgG levels and production of various cytokines, providing acceptable protection against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. The results suggest that r-IsdE has the potential to develop protective immunity against infections caused by MRSA.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Fernando Oliveira, Holger Rohde, Manuel Vilanova, Nuno Cerca
Summary: Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important commensal microorganism on human skin and mucosae, yet it can also cause severe infections in immunocompromised patients. Its ability to form biofilms makes infections difficult to treat. Research suggests that the bacterium's dependence on iron plays a key role in its pathogenicity.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Yingqi Chen, Zixian Liu, Zexin Lin, Mincheng Lu, Yong Fu, Guanqiao Liu, Bin Yu
Summary: Osteomyelitis is a chronic inflammatory bone disease caused by infection of open fractures or post-operative implants. Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most common pathogens, disrupts immune response and attenuates the effectiveness of treatment. Further research on abnormal immune mechanisms may lead to new breakthroughs in the treatment of osteomyelitis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
