Staphylococcus Infections - Biofilms and Antimicrobial Resistance

Staphylococci are Gram-positive bacteria commonly found in humans, animals, birds, and reptiles. The most common Staphylococcus species include Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis; both are part of healthy human skin flora and, in most cases, harmless. However, both of these bacteria have high clinical significance due to their ability to breach the ski...

Staphylococci are Gram-positive bacteria commonly found in humans, animals, birds, and reptiles. The most common Staphylococcus species include Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis; both are part of healthy human skin flora and, in most cases, harmless. However, both of these bacteria have high clinical significance due to their ability to breach the skin barrier and colonize/form biofilms, becoming pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant. Especially, S. aureus biofilm formation is known to cause various infections, including skin abscesses, pneumonia, endocarditis, implant-associated infections (e.g., catheters, prosthetic valves), osteomyelitis, UTI, sepsis, and food poisoning. Many strains of S. aureus (e.g., methicillin-resistant S. aureus, MRSA) produce enzymes that help them to resist beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, methicillin, etc.). Similarly, S. epidermidis is also known to cause infection of implanted medical devices. Bacterial resistance to common antibiotics and disinfectants is driving a rise in superbugs, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is leading us toward a catastrophe, with the health system failing. Reducing bacterial-associated infections and AMR needs a collective “One Health” approach, which includes emphasizing practicing rigorous hygiene, food safety, antibiotic stewardship (e.g., avoiding indiscriminate use of antibiotics for the common cold or viral infections, following prescriptions strictly), and enforcing strict laws to limit the use of antibiotics in livestock and agriculture to avert resistant strains from crossing over into human populations.