Large-scale identification of genes required for full virulence of Staphylococcus aureus.

ABSTRACT: Gene products required for in vivo growth and survival of microbial pathogens comprise a unique functional class and may represent new targets for antimicrobial chemotherapy, vaccine construction, or diagnostics. Although some factors governing Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity have been identified and studied, a comprehensive genomic analysis of virulence functions will be a prerequisite for developing a global understanding of interactions between this pathogen and its human host. In this study, we describe a genetic screening strategy and demonstrate its use in screening a collection of 6,300 S. aureus insertion mutants for virulence attenuation in a murine model of systemic infection. Ninety-five attenuated mutants were identified, reassembled into new pools, and rescreened using the

SUBMITTER: Benton BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC532413 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature