PlumX Metrics
Embed PlumX Metrics

Regulation of staphylococcus aureus virulence

Gram-Positive Pathogens, Page: 669-686
2019
  • 17
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 253
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    17
    • Citation Indexes
      17
  • Captures
    253

Book Chapter Description

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive commensal bacterium and opportunistic pathogen. The main sites of colonization are the skin and mucous membranes, and approximately 30% of the healthy adult population are colonized by S. aureus (1). Although S. aureus is primarily a commensal microbe, it has the potential to cause a wide range of diseases that can vary considerably in severity. The most common problems are skin infections, and some of the most severe are bloodstream infections, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and necrotizing fasciitis (2). To survive and adapt to different environmental niches, S. aureus has evolved an intricate regulatory network to control virulence factor production in both a temporal and host location manner (3). The regulatory machinery and virulence factors are known as accessory genes, since they are not essential for normal growth. These accessory factors are used to establish dominance in the host and contribute to the pathogenicity of S. aureus, and they include cell surface components and proteins directly released into the extracellular environment. The functions of these molecules include adherence to host cells, evasion of host defenses, nutrient degradation, and acquisition. These accessory genetic elements are encoded directly on the chromosome and on mobile elements that include phages, plasmids, and pathogenicity islands.

Provide Feedback

Have ideas for a new metric? Would you like to see something else here?Let us know