Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections: advances toward identifying the key virulence factors.
Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2008 Apr
Nygaard TK, Deleo FR, Voyich JM.
aDepartment of Veterinary Molecular Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, USA bLaboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Hamilton, Montana, USA.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years there has been an increase in the incidence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections in healthy individuals, the cause of which is largely unknown. CA-MRSA primarily causes skin and soft-tissue infections but certain strains are also associated with unusually severe pathology. The purpose of this review is to provide a critical analysis of our current knowledge of virulence factors contributing to skin and soft-tissue infections caused by CA-MRSA.
RECENT FINDINGS: Isolates classified as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type USA300 have emerged as the predominant CA-MRSA genotype and in most geographic areas account for 97% or more of CA-MRSA infections. Recent key studies, such as those reporting the complete genome sequence of USA300, and the discovery of cytolytic peptides that contribute significantly to CA-MRSA virulence, lead the way for future investigations.
SUMMARY: Although we have only a cursory understanding of the molecular mechanisms of CA-MRSA virulence, studies using clinically relevant CA-MRSA isolates are beginning to identify virulence determinants specific to this pathogen. Identifying CA-MRSA virulence determinants and the concerted regulation of these factors will foster development of vaccines and therapeutics designed to control CA-MRSA skin infections.
