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PMID: 19609257 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural Review

Staphylococcus epidermidis--the 'accidental' pathogen.

Nature reviews. Microbiology ·Vol. 7 ·No. 8 ·2009-08-00 ·Pages 555-67

Otto M

Abstract

Although nosocomial infections by Staphylococcus epidermidis have gained much attention, this skin-colonizing bacterium has apparently evolved not to cause disease, but to maintain the commonly benign relationship with its host. Accordingly, S. epidermidis does not produce aggressive virulence determinants. Rather, factors that normally sustain the commensal lifestyle of S. epidermidis seem to give rise to additional benefits during infection. Furthermore, we are beginning to comprehend the roles of S. epidermidis in balancing the epithelial microflora and serving as a reservoir of resistance genes. In this Review, I discuss the molecular basis of the commensal and infectious lifestyles of S. epidermidis.

MeSH Terms
Animals Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology Biofilms/growth & development Drug Resistance/genetics Host-Pathogen Interactions Humans Skin/microbiology Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology Staphylococcus epidermidis/drug effects,pathogenicity,physiology Virulence
Chemicals
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Authors & Affiliations
1 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Otto Michael
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, The National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike Building 33 1W10, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. motto@niaid.nih.gov
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Article Info
Journal
Nature reviews. Microbiology
Abbr.
Nat Rev Microbiol
ISSN
1740-1534
DOI
10.1038/nrmicro2182
Email
motto@niaid.nih.gov
Published
2009-08-00
Pages
555-67
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
101190261
PMCID
PMC2807625
Subset
IM
Grants
Intramural NIH HHS · Z99 AI999999 · United States
Intramural NIH HHS · ZIA AI001080-02 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro2182 PMC Full Text View journal details
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