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ABSTRACT: Importance
Through a nuanced exploration of Staphylococcus aureus strains obtained from atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and healthy controls (HE), our research unveils pivotal genetic determinants influencing their pathogenic associations. Utilizing a random forest classifier, we illuminate distinct marker genes, with phage holin emerging as a critical differential factor, revealing the profound impact of prophages on genetic and pathogenic profiles. HE strains exhibited a diverse gene content, notably shaped by unique, heightened prophages. Conversely, AD strains emphasized a pronounced enrichment of virulence factors within prophages, signifying their key role in AD pathogenesis. This work crucially highlights prophages as central architects of the genetic and functional attributes of S. aureus strains, providing vital insights into pathogenic mechanisms and phenotypic variations, thereby paving the way for targeted AD therapeutic approaches and management strategies by demystifying specific genetic and pathogenic mechanisms.
SUBMITTER: Wang Z
PROVIDER: S-EPMC11302291 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Microbiology spectrum 20240716 8
<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> strains exhibit varying associations with atopic dermatitis (AD), but the genetic determinants underpinning the pathogenicity are yet to be fully characterized. To reveal the genetic differences between <i>S. aureus</i> strains from AD patients and healthy individuals (HE), we developed and employed a random forest classifier to identify potential marker genes responsible for their phenotypic variations. The classifier was able to effectively distinguish strains from ...[more]