Molecular basis of Emphasis Type="Italic"Staphyl

Authors: Michael Otto

Publish Date: 2011/11/19

Volume: 34, Issue: 2, Pages: 201-214

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Abstract

Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most important member of the coagulasenegative staphylococci and one of the most abundant colonizers of human skin While for a long time regarded as innocuous it has been identified as the most frequent cause of devicerelated infections occurring in the hospital setting and is therefore now recognized as an important opportunistic pathogen S epidermidis produces a series of molecules that provide protection from host defenses Specifically many proteins and exopolymers such as the exopolysaccharide PIA contribute to biofilm formation and inhibit phagocytosis and the activity of human antimicrobial peptides Furthermore recent research has identified a family of proinflammatory peptides in S epidermidis the phenolsoluble modulins PSMs which have multiple functions in immune evasion and biofilm development and may be cytolytic However in accordance with the relatively benign relationship that S epidermidis has with its host production of aggressive members of the PSM family is kept at a low level Interestingly in contrast to S aureus with its large arsenal of toxins developed for causing infection in the human host most if not all “virulence factors” of S epidermidis appear to have original functions in the commensal lifestyle of this bacterium

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