Staphylococcus aureus-A Known Opponent against Host Defense Mechanisms and Vaccine Development-Do We Still Have a Chance to Win?

Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jan 16;23(2):948. doi: 10.3390/ijms23020948.

Abstract

The main purpose of this review is to present justification for the urgent need to implement specific prophylaxis of invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections. We emphasize the difficulties in achieving this goal due to numerous S. aureus virulence factors important for the process of infection and the remarkable ability of these bacteria to avoid host defense mechanisms. We precede these considerations with a brief overview of the global necessitiy to intensify the use of vaccines against other pathogens as well, particularly in light of an impasse in antibiotic therapy. Finally, we point out global trends in research into modern technologies used in the field of molecular microbiology to develop new vaccines. We focus on the vaccines designed to fight the infections caused by S. aureus, which are often resistant to the majority of available therapeutic options.

Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus; alternative therapies; antimicrobial resistance; immune evasion; immune response; molecular technologies; staphylococcal virulence factors; vaccines.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Staphylococcal Infections / immunology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / prevention & control*
  • Staphylococcal Vaccines / immunology
  • Staphylococcal Vaccines / pharmacology
  • Staphylococcal Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Staphylococcus aureus / immunology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity
  • Vaccine Development
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / immunology

Substances

  • Staphylococcal Vaccines
  • Virulence Factors