O'Gara James P
Department of Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
Environ Microbiol. 2017 Oct;19(10):3823-3833. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.13833. Epub 2017 Jul 24.
Colonisation of the human skin by Staphylococcus aureus is a precursor for a variety of infections ranging from boils to sepsis and pneumonia. The rapid emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus following the clinical introduction of this antimicrobial drug and reports of resistance to all currently used anti-staphylococcal drugs has added to its formidable reputation. S. aureus survival on the skin and in vivo virulence is underpinned by a remarkable environmental adaptability, made possible by highly orchestrated regulation of gene expression and a capacity to undertake genome remodelling. Depending on the ecological or infection niche, controlled expression of a variety of adhesins can be initiated to facilitate adherence to extracellular matrix proteins, survival against desiccation or biofilm accumulation on implanted medical devices and host tissue. These adherence mechanisms complement toxin and enzyme production, immune evasion strategies, and antibiotic resistance and tolerance to collectively thwart efforts to develop reliable antimicrobial drug regimens and an effective S. aureus vaccine.
金黄色葡萄球菌在人体皮肤上的定植是引发从疖肿到败血症和肺炎等各种感染的先兆。在临床引入这种抗菌药物后，耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌迅速出现，且有报道称其对所有目前使用的抗葡萄球菌药物均产生耐药性，这进一步加剧了它的可怕名声。金黄色葡萄球菌在皮肤和体内的生存及毒力依赖于其卓越的环境适应性，这种适应性通过基因表达的高度协调调控以及进行基因组重塑的能力得以实现。根据生态或感染微环境，可启动多种黏附素的可控表达，以促进对细胞外基质蛋白的黏附、抵御干燥或在植入医疗器械和宿主组织上形成生物膜。这些黏附机制与毒素和酶的产生、免疫逃避策略以及抗生素耐药性和耐受性相互补充，共同阻碍了开发可靠抗菌药物方案和有效金黄色葡萄球菌疫苗的努力。
