Virulence gene expression in human community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus infection.

ABSTRACT: Isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were once linked uniformly with hospital-associated infections; however, community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) now represents an emerging threat worldwide. To examine the association of differential virulence gene expression with outcomes of human infection, we measured transcript levels of target staphylococcal genes directly in clinical samples from children with active known or suspected CA-MRSA infections. Virulence genes encoding secreted toxins, including Panton-Valentine leukocidin, were highly expressed during superficial and invasive CA-MRSA infections. In contrast, increased expression of surface-associated protein A was linked only with invasive disease. Comparisons with laboratory-grown corresponding clinical isolates r

SUBMITTER: Loughman JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2843142 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature