Staphylococcus haemolyticus - an emerging threat in the twilight of the antibiotics age

Microbiology (Reading). 2015 Nov;161(11):2061-8. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.000178. Epub 2015 Sep 11.

Abstract

Staphylococcus haemolyticus is one of the most frequent aetiological factors of staphylococcal infections. This species seems to lack the important virulence attributes described in other staphylococci. However, studies have shown that the presence of various enzymes, cytolysins and surface substances affects the virulence of S. haemolyticus. Nevertheless, none of them has been identified as crucial and determinative. Despite this, S. haemolyticus is, after Staphylococcus epidermidis, the second most frequently isolated coagulase-negative staphylococcus from clinical cases, notably from blood infections, including sepsis. This raises the question of what is the reason for the increasing clinical significance of S. haemolyticus? The most important factor might be the ability to acquire multiresistance against available antimicrobial agents, even glycopeptides. The unusual genome plasticity of S. haemolyticus strains manifested by a large number of insertion sequences and identified SNPs might contribute to its acquisition of antibiotic resistance. Interspecies transfer of SCCmec cassettes suggests that S. haemolyticus might also be the reservoir of resistance genes for other staphylococci, including Staphylococcus aureus. Taking into consideration the great adaptability and the ability to survive in the hospital environment, especially on medical devices, S. haemolyticus becomes a crucial factor in nosocomial infections caused by multiresistant staphylococci.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / microbiology*
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial*
  • Humans
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Staphylococcus haemolyticus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus haemolyticus / isolation & purification
  • Staphylococcus haemolyticus / pathogenicity*
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Virulence Factors