Staphylococcus aureus α-Toxin Response Distinguishes Respiratory Virus-Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus Coinfection in Children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

 Development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia after a respiratory viral infection is frequently fatal in children. In mice, S. aureus α-toxin directly injures pneumocytes and increases mortality, whereas α-toxin blockade mitigates disease. The role of α-toxin in pediatric staphylococcal-viral coinfection is unclear.

Methods

 We enrolled children across 34 North American pediatric intensive care units with acute respiratory failure and suspected influenza virus infection. Serial serum anti-α-toxin antibody titers and functional α-toxin neutralization capacity were compared across children coinfected with MRSA or methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and control children infected with influenza virus only. MRSA isolates were tested

SUBMITTER: Yu KO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5144732 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature