Staphylococcus aureus β-toxin production is common in strains with the β-toxin gene inactivated by bacteriophage.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Staphylococcus aureus causes life-threatening infections, including infective endocarditis, sepsis, and pneumonia. β-toxin is a sphingomyelinase encoded for by virtually all S. aureus strains and exhibits human immune cell cytotoxicity. The toxin enhances S. aureus phenol-soluble modulin activity, and its activity is enhanced by superantigens. The bacteriophage φSa3 inserts into the β-toxin gene in human strains, inactivating it in the majority of S. aureus clonal groups. Hence, most strains are reported not to secrete β-toxin.

Methods

This dynamic was investigated by examining β-toxin production by multiple clonal groups of S. aureus, both in vitro and in vivo during infections in rabbit models of infective endocarditis, sepsis, and pneumonia.

Results

β-to

SUBMITTER: Salgado-Pabon W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4202305 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature