Research progress on staphylococcal virulence factors phenol-soluble modulins

Abstract:

Staphylococcus are common Gram-positive pathogens,including Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus.With the emergence of drug-resistant staphylococci,especially the spread of multidrug resistant strains,the morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases caused by Staphylococcus are increasing year by year.The high pathogenicity of Staphylococcus is associated with the large number of virulence factors.Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) are a group of amphipathic peptides with broad cytolytic activity,which are major virulence factors released by Staphylococcus.PSMs could contribute to inflammation,affect immune cell function,participate in bacterial immune escape,and play a role in the pathogenic mechanism of skin and soft tissue infections,sepsis,biofilm-related infections,bone tissue infections,and atopic dermatitis caused by staphylococci.This article briefly summarizes the impact of PSMs on the host immune system and the roles of PSMs in common infectious diseases caused by Staphylococcus.

Key words:Staphylococcus; virulence factors;phenol-soluble modulin