<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> from a Commensal to Zoonotic Pathogen: A Critical Appraisal
Mahendra Pal, Margo Yonas Shuramo, Anita Tewari, Jyoti Srivastava, Carl Hermann Dino Steinmetz
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus, the principal etiologic agent of staphylococcosis, is a facultative anaerobe, Gram-positive, catalase-positive, and non-motile bacterium that causes disease in humans and animals.The bacterium can produce disease in immunocompetent as well as in immunocompromised subjects.The nasal cavity, and skin of humans and animals serve as the natural ecological niches of S. aureus.Morphologically, the bacterium appears as grape-like structures under the microscope.Under favourable conditions, the organisms can cause illness in humans and form biofilms that protect bacteria from harsh environment.The exotoxins like toxic shock syndrome type-1, exfoliative toxin, hemolysin, leukocidin protein, and enterotoxins are well-known factors produced by bacteria responsible for causing various diseases in susceptible hosts.The furuncle, carbuncle, impetigo, and abscess are various skin infections caused by S. aureus.Besides, it also causes multiple systemic infections, such as pyomyositis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, toxic shock syndrome, and scalded skin syndrome.Staphylococcus aureus is a significant cause of foodborne poising in humans, and mastitis in dairy animals.The organism can easily be identified by Grams' staining and culturing on selective media.Beta-lactam drugs, vancomycin, doxycycline, clindamycin, and linezolid can be used to treat diseases.However, due to the ability of bacteria to resist many new-ageantibiotics, it is considered an emerging public health issue worldwide.Practicing personal hygiene, food safety, and farm-to-fork hygieneisessential for preventing and controlling diseases.