Penicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus: Caution Required

Patients with emerging penicillin-susceptible S. aureus strains may be harboring pathogens with elevated virulence despite these strains' antibiotic susceptibility.

The number of patients with penicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (PSSA) has rapidly increased in the U.S. and worldwide, although these strains were rare 20 years ago. To examine whether enhanced virulence might accompany this antibiotic susceptibility, Jin et al. evaluated S. aureus isolates from 178 patients with osteoarticular infections at a large tertiary care hospital in China throughout 9 years. The researchers used whole genome sequencing, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and assessment of biofilm formation and cell adhesion.

The frequency of PSSA isolates rose rapidly during the study period, with the ST398 clonal complex being the most common. Meanwhile, frequency of methicillin-resistant S. aureus decreased. Compared wit…

Reviewing Author

George Sakoulas, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParatek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.; AbbVie; Shionogi

Speaker’s BureauAllergan/AbbVie; Paratek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Open Forum Infectious Diseases