Virulence Regulation Mechanisms in Staphylococci

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram positive bacterium that is part of the normal flora, but can cause infections by producing toxins. These bacteria are common causes of bloodstream and other infections in hospitalized patients. Recently the frequency of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococci strains is increasing. It is thus, important to find new ways to prevent and to treat such infections. The production of toxins (virulence) is regulated by cell-cell communication (quorum sensing) through the secretion of an autoinducer protein termed RAP (RNAIII Activating Protein). RAP leads to upregulation of the quorum sensing system termed agr (Accessory Gene Regulator), leading to the production of RNAIII, which increases the creation of multiple toxins. This book reveals how virulence is regulated by staphylococci. RAP appears to be an autoinducer of virulence. The second inducer is alcohol, an exogenic inducer to the system. The novel findings in this book are useful to Doctors and professionals in Medicine and Life Science or anyone who may be interested in developing novel therapeutics and creating new ways to prevent and treat microorganisms infections.