Current outbreak of Staphylococcus aureus

摘要

Staphylococcus aureus has long been recognized as one of the major human pathogens and is responsible for a wide range of diseases, from superficial skin infections to life-threatening infections. The position of S. aureus as one of the most important opportunistic human pathogens is largely attributable to the combination of its virulence potential and its ubiquitous occurrence as a colonizer in humans, domestic animals, and livestock. Molecular typing allows several important observations to be made regarding the evolution, epidemiology and spread of S. aureus clones with particular public health importance [I]. It appears that, over wide geographical regions, certain clones have emerged, disseminated, and sometimes disappeared. It is speculated that clone histories could result from the balance between occasional acquisition or loss of virulence and/or antimicrobial resistance determinants and selective pressure.