Table 1.
Findings of multiplex PCR profiling of select prototypic virulence genes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates that cause persistent bacteremia (PB).
| Virulence gene(s) |
Description | Hypothesized role in life cyclea |
|---|---|---|
| cna | Adhesin, binds collagen | Colonization |
| fnbA | Adhesin, binds fibronectin | Colonization |
| clfB | Adhesin, binds fibrinogen | Colonization |
| sdrD | Adhesin, binds fibrinogen | Colonization |
| sdrE | Adhesin, binds fibrinogen | Colonization |
| ica | Polysaccharide intercellular adhesion (involved in biofilm formation) | Colonization |
| pvl | Exotoxin, putative virulence factor | Dissemination |
| tst | Exotoxin, toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 | Dissemination |
| ssp | Enzyme; serine protease | Dissemination |
| cap5, cap8 | Capsular polysaccharide– antiphagocytic factor | Clearance |
a
A detailed account of the life cycle of PB isolates is presented in figure 1.