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Microbiology Spectrum Aug 2018Staphylococci, with the leading species and , are the most frequent causes of infections on indwelling medical devices. The biofilm phenotype that those bacteria adopt... (Review)
Review
Staphylococci, with the leading species and , are the most frequent causes of infections on indwelling medical devices. The biofilm phenotype that those bacteria adopt during device-associated infection facilitates increased resistance to antibiotics and host immune defenses. This review presents and discusses the molecular mechanisms contributing to staphylococcal biofilm development and their in-vivo importance. Furthermore, it summarizes current strategies for the development of therapeutics against staphylococcal biofilm-associated infection.
Topics: Animals; Biofilms; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Phenotype; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis
PubMed: 30117414
DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.GPP3-0023-2018 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Oct 2014The definition of the heterogeneous group of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) is still based on diagnostic procedures that fulfill the clinical need to... (Review)
Review
The definition of the heterogeneous group of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) is still based on diagnostic procedures that fulfill the clinical need to differentiate between Staphylococcus aureus and those staphylococci classified historically as being less or nonpathogenic. Due to patient- and procedure-related changes, CoNS now represent one of the major nosocomial pathogens, with S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus being the most significant species. They account substantially for foreign body-related infections and infections in preterm newborns. While S. saprophyticus has been associated with acute urethritis, S. lugdunensis has a unique status, in some aspects resembling S. aureus in causing infectious endocarditis. In addition to CoNS found as food-associated saprophytes, many other CoNS species colonize the skin and mucous membranes of humans and animals and are less frequently involved in clinically manifested infections. This blurred gradation in terms of pathogenicity is reflected by species- and strain-specific virulence factors and the development of different host-defending strategies. Clearly, CoNS possess fewer virulence properties than S. aureus, with a respectively different disease spectrum. In this regard, host susceptibility is much more important. Therapeutically, CoNS are challenging due to the large proportion of methicillin-resistant strains and increasing numbers of isolates with less susceptibility to glycopeptides.
Topics: Coagulase; Disease Management; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus
PubMed: 25278577
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00109-13 -
Polish Journal of Microbiology Mar 2021Staphylococci are among the most frequent human microbiota components associated with the high level of bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes. In predisposed patients,... (Review)
Review
Staphylococci are among the most frequent human microbiota components associated with the high level of bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes. In predisposed patients, there is a high risk of transformation of BSI episodes to sepsis. Both bacterial and host factors are crucial for the outcomes of BSI and sepsis. The highest rates of BSI episodes were reported in Africa, where these infections were up to twice as high as the European rates. However, there remains a great need to analyze African data for comprehensive quantification of staphylococcal BSI prevalence. The lowest rates of BSI exist in Australia. Asian, European, and North American data showed similar frequency values. Worldwide analysis indicated that both and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are the most frequent BSI agents. In the second group, the most prevalent species was , although CoNS were not identified at the species level in many studies. The lack of a significant worldwide decrease in BSI episodes indicates a great need to implement standardized diagnostic methods and research etiological factors using advanced genetic methods.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Bacteremia; Humans; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Virulence
PubMed: 33815523
DOI: 10.33073/pjm-2021-005 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2019Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) are skin commensal bacteria. Besides their role in maintaining homeostasis, CoNS have emerged as major pathogens in nosocomial... (Review)
Review
Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) are skin commensal bacteria. Besides their role in maintaining homeostasis, CoNS have emerged as major pathogens in nosocomial settings. Several studies have investigated the molecular basis for this emergence and identified multiple putative virulence factors with regards to pathogenicity. In the last decade, numerous CoNS whole-genome sequences have been released, leading to the identification of numerous putative virulence factors. Koch's postulates and the molecular rendition of these postulates, established by Stanley Falkow in 1988, do not explain the microbial pathogenicity of CoNS. However, whole-genome sequence data has shed new light on CoNS pathogenicity. In this review, we analyzed the contribution of genomics in defining CoNS virulence, focusing on the most frequent and pathogenic CoNS species: , , , and .
Topics: Coagulase; Genome, Bacterial; Genomics; Humans; Phylogeny; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Virulence; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 30862021
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051215 -
Microbiology Spectrum Nov 2019Staphylococci, and in particular , cause an extensive variety of infections in a range of hosts. The comprehensive analysis of staphylococcal genomes reveals mechanisms... (Review)
Review
Staphylococci, and in particular , cause an extensive variety of infections in a range of hosts. The comprehensive analysis of staphylococcal genomes reveals mechanisms controlling the organism's biology, pathobiology, and dissemination. Whole-genome sequencing technologies led to a quantum leap in our understanding of bacterial genomes. The recent cost reduction of sequencing has resulted in unprecedented volumes of genomic information about , one of the most sequenced bacterial species. Collecting, comparing, and interpreting big data is challenging, but fascinating insights have emerged. For example, it is becoming clearer which selective pressures staphylococci face in their habitats and which mechanisms allow this pathogen to adapt, survive, and spread. A key theme is the constant evolution of staphylococci as they alter their genome, exchange DNA, and adapt to new environments, leading to the emergence of increasingly successful, antibiotic-resistant, immune-evading, and host-adapted colonizers and pathogens. This article introduces the structure of staphylococcal genomes, details how genomes vary between strains, outlines the mechanisms of genetic variation, and describes the features of successful clones.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Evolution, Molecular; Genome, Bacterial; Genomics; Humans; Phylogeny; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus
PubMed: 31845645
DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.GPP3-0071-2019 -
International Journal of Medical... Mar 2014PSMs are a recently discovered family of short, amphipathic, α-helical peptides in staphylococci. Several PSMs are key virulence determinants, particularly in highly... (Review)
Review
PSMs are a recently discovered family of short, amphipathic, α-helical peptides in staphylococci. Several PSMs are key virulence determinants, particularly in highly virulent Staphylococcus aureus strains. PSMα peptides of S. aureus facilitate neutrophil lysis after phagocytosis, and are key contributors to several infection types, including skin infection and bacteremia. Furthermore, all PSMs contribute to biofilm structuring and the dissemination of biofilm-associated infection. Cytolytic PSMs as produced by S. aureus appear to have evolved from original functions in the non-infectious lifestyle of staphylococci. The surfactant properties of PSMs, which they all share, are believed to facilitate growth on epithelial surfaces. The basic role of PSMs in staphylococcal physiology is underscored, for example, by their exceptionally strict and direct control by quorum-sensing and the presence of a dedicated secretion system. Targeting PSMs for anti-staphylococcal drug development may be a promising approach to overcome the problems associated with widespread antibiotic resistance in staphylococci.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Toxins; Biofilms; Humans; Staphylococcus; Surface-Active Agents; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 24447915
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2013.11.019 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Sep 2019Progress in contemporary medicine is associated with an increasing number of immunocompromised individuals. In this vulnerable group, the underlying disease together... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Progress in contemporary medicine is associated with an increasing number of immunocompromised individuals. In this vulnerable group, the underlying disease together with long-term hospitalization and the use of medical devices facilitate infections by opportunistic pathogens, of which coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) represent a prime example.
OBJECTIVES
The diversity of CoNS with species- and strain-specific differences concerning virulence and clinical impact is highlighted. A focus is on the ability of CoNS to generate biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces, which enables skin and mucosa colonization as well as establishment of CoNS on indwelling foreign bodies.
SOURCES
Literature about the virulence of CoNS listed in PubMed was reviewed.
CONTENT
Most catheter-related and prosthetic joint infections as well as most other device-related infections are caused by CoNS, specifically by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. A common theme of CoNS infections is a high antibiotic resistance rate, which often limits treatment options and contributes to the significant health and economic burden imposed by CoNS.
IMPLICATIONS
Breaching the skin barrier along with the insertion of medical devices offers CoNS opportunities to gain access to host tissues and to sustain there by forming biofilms on foreign body surfaces. Biofilms represent the perfect niche to protect CoNS from both the host immune response and the action of antibiotics. Their particular lifestyle, combined with conditions that facilitate host colonization and infection, has led to the growing impact of CoNS as pathogens. Moreover, CoNS may serve as hidden reservoirs for antibiotic resistance and virulence traits.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Catheter-Related Infections; Coagulase; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Humans; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Virulence
PubMed: 30502487
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.11.012 -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Aug 2017The ability of bacteria to move is critical for their survival in diverse environments and multiple ways have evolved to achieve this. Two forms of motility have... (Review)
Review
The ability of bacteria to move is critical for their survival in diverse environments and multiple ways have evolved to achieve this. Two forms of motility have recently been described for Staphylococcus aureus, an organism previously considered to be non-motile. One form is called spreading, which is a type of sliding motility and the second form involves comet formation, which has many observable characteristics associated with gliding motility. Darting motility has also been observed in Staphylococcus epidermidis. This review describes how motility is defined and how we distinguish between passive and active motility. We discuss the characteristics of the various forms of Staphylococci motility, the molecular mechanisms involved and the potential future research directions.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Adhesion; Bacterial Toxins; Cell Wall; Humans; Quorum Sensing; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus
PubMed: 28378043
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2507-z -
Microbiology Spectrum Apr 2016The staphylococci comprise a diverse genus of Gram-positive, nonmotile commensal organisms that inhabit the skin and mucous membranes of humans and other mammals. In... (Review)
Review
The staphylococci comprise a diverse genus of Gram-positive, nonmotile commensal organisms that inhabit the skin and mucous membranes of humans and other mammals. In general, staphylococci are benign members of the natural flora, but many species have the capacity to be opportunistic pathogens, mainly infecting individuals who have medical device implants or are otherwise immunocompromised. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are major sources of hospital-acquired infections and are the most common causes of surgical site infections and medical device-associated bloodstream infections. The ability of staphylococci to form biofilms in vivo makes them highly resistant to chemotherapeutics and leads to chronic diseases. These biofilm infections include osteomyelitis, endocarditis, medical device infections, and persistence in the cystic fibrosis lung. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of our current understanding of staphylococcal biofilm formation, with an emphasis on adhesins and regulation, while also addressing how staphylococcal biofilms interact with the immune system. On the whole, this review will provide a thorough picture of biofilm formation of the staphylococcus genus and how this mode of growth impacts the host.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Adhesion; Biofilms; Chronic Disease; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis
PubMed: 27227309
DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.VMBF-0022-2015 -
Research in Microbiology 2001Some members of the genus Staphylococcus are important human pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. ATP binding cassette (ABC)... (Review)
Review
Some members of the genus Staphylococcus are important human pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters of pathogenic staphylococci are often responsible for antibiotic resistance and for the uptake of essential solutes and are therefore being considered as targets for novel antistaphylococcal drugs. Other ABC transporters are involved in the biosynthesis of a special class of peptide antibiotics, the lantibiotics, and in self-protection of the producer against them.
Topics: ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Immunotherapy; Peptides; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis
PubMed: 11421282
DOI: 10.1016/s0923-2508(01)01206-2