article · Frontiers in Microbiology
This cohort study investigated the genetic virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The investigation analysed community-associated strains collected from nasal colonisation and active infections. Each isolate underwent phenotypic susceptibility testing alongside whole genome sequencing to examine 79 virulence factors and complete genotyping. Most of the examined virulence genes appeared equally among colonising and infection-causing isolates. However, Panton-Valentine leukocidin and non-truncated hemolysin beta were linked directly to skin and soft tissue infections as well as disease recurrence. Neither factor influenced broader clinical outcomes, such as mortality or the need for surgical intervention. The findings indicate that hemolysin beta, alongside Panton-Valentine leukocidin, plays a role in skin and soft tissue infection development within areas where Panton-Valentine leukocidin is endemic.
Staphylococcus aureus causes widespread and recurring skin infections. Understanding which specific bacterial toxins drive these illnesses helps researchers comprehend why certain strains cause disease while others merely colonise healthy tissue. Identifying key factors like hemolysin beta in endemic settings improves the baseline biological knowledge needed to better monitor and tackle persistent bacterial infections.
This is early-stage observational research that provides genomic insights into bacterial virulence. Diagnostic developers or vaccine researchers could potentially use these markers to design targeted assays or therapeutics focused on hemolysin beta and Panton-Valentine leukocidin. However, the abstract does not indicate an immediate application pathway or direct commercial development plan.
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We performed a cohort study to analyze the virulome of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> from the Democratic Republic of the Congo using whole genome sequencing and to assess its impact on the course of <i>S. aureus</i> infections. Community-associated <i>S. aureus</i> from nasal colonization (<i>n</i> = 100) and infection (<i>n</i> = 86) were prospectively collected. Phenotypic susceptibility testing and WGS was done for each isolate. WGS data were used to screen for 79 different virulence factors and for genotyping purposes (<i>spa</i> typing, multilocus sequence typing). The majority of the 79 virulence factors were equally distributed among isolates from colonization and infection. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and the non-truncated hemolysin β were associated with skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) and recurrence of disease but did not influence the course of infection (i.e., mortality, surgical intervention). For the first time, we show that not only PVL but also hemolysin β could contribute to the development of SSTI in PVL-endemic areas such as Africa.
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DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01662
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