Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) causes a wide spectrum of clinical diseases and remains one of the leading sources of bacterial-associated morbidity and mortality worldwide. Infections occur in both community-acquired and hospital-acquired settings, with prevention and treatment complicated by the organism’s high transmissibility, extensive pathogenic mechanisms, and growing antimicrobial resistance. S aureus can exist as an innocuous colonizer of skin, mucous membranes, and the gastrointestinal tract..
Despite its ability to exist as a benign colonizer, S aureus can also produce severe, life-threatening infections. The organism frequently exchanges mobile genetic elements with both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria, enhancing its adaptability and virulence. Through these genetic exchanges, S aureus has acquired the capacity to invade tissues, produce toxins, resist antimicrobial therapies, and evade host immune defenses. This overview discusses the pathogenesis of S aureus infections, with particular attention to the evaluation and management of bacteremia.
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