Atopic dermatitis-derived Staphylococcus aureus strains: what makes them special in the interplay with the host

• DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1194254
• Publication Date: 2023-06-14T05:38:05Z
• Authors: Antonietta Lucia ...; Francesca Brunetti; Massimiliano Mara...; Catia Longhi; Linda Maurizi; Giammarco Raponi; Anna Teresa Palamara; Sara Grassi; Maria Pia Conte
• Keywords: Pathogenesis; Multilocus sequence typing

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition whose pathogenesis involves genetic predisposition, epidermal barrier dysfunction, alterations in the immune responses and microbial dysbiosis. Clinical studies have shown link between Staphylococcus aureus of AD, although origins diversity S. colonizing patients with AD poorly understood. The aim study was to investigate if specific clones might be associated disease. Methods WGS analyses were performed on 38 strains, deriving from healthy carriers. Genotypes (i.e. MLST, spa- , agr- SCC mec -typing), genomic content (e.g. virulome resistome), pan-genome structure strains been investigated. Phenotypic determine antibiotic susceptibility, biofilm production invasiveness within investigated population. Results Strains isolated revealed high degree heterogeneity shared set virulence factors antimicrobial resistance genes, suggesting that no genotype are uniquely AD. same characterized by lower variability terms gene content, indicating conditions could exert selective pressure leading optimization repertoire. Furthermore, genes related mechanisms, like post-translational modification, protein turnover chaperones as well intracellular trafficking, secretion vesicular transport, significantly more enriched strains. analysis all our strong or moderate producers, while less than half showed invasive capabilities. Conclusions We conclude skin, functional role played may depend differential expression patterns and/or modification mechanisms rather being peculiar features.