Pore-forming protein key to antibiotic resistance

摘要

In the United States, community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections are increasing in number, and the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a public health issue. The virulent strain of CA-MRSA, called USA300, causes a type of pneumonia with high mortality rates in humans. This strain produces a pore-forming toxin, Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), which has been suspected to play a role in the bacteria's lethality.