Staphylococcus aureus: An old pathogen with new weapons.
Staphylococcus aureus has been recognized as an important human pathogen for more than 100 years. S aureus has been able to adapt and evolve in terms of its resistance traits and virulence factors; it is among the most important causes of human infections in the twenty-first century. Rapid molecular identification in the clinical microbiology laboratory of these resistance and virulence factors expressed by S aureus will play an important role in the future in decreasing the morbidity and mortality of infections. This article addresses the emerging aspects of infections caused by S aureus, including microbiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, and immunity.
Tang
Yi-Wei
YW
Department of Pathology and Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. yiwei.tang@vanderbilt.edu <yiwei.tang@vanderbilt.edu>
Stratton
Charles W
CW
D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D011379:Prognosis; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*