2022/10/28 by Sandra Maria Skovdal, Sandra M. Skovdal, Nis Pedersen Jørgensen +1 · 13 citations
Medicine · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus #Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing #Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
paper · doi:10.1099/jmm.0.001597
Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most abundant commensal bacterium of human skin. Despite protecting us from foreign invaders, S. epidermidis itself exploits human vulnerability when given the opportunity. Such opportunities arise when patients are immunocompromised or when biomedical implants present an opportunity to colonize the surface and form biofilms. S. epidermidis is one of the most frequently isolated organisms from implanted devices and from bloodstream infections. However, S. epidermidis infections are often recalcitrant to antibiotics because of biofilm-associated antibiotic tolerance. Furthermore, the emergence and spread of nearly pan-resistant strains is a considerable health concern. Symptoms can be subclinical, making diagnosis challenging, and treatment with antibiotics is inefficient. For now, infection prevention remains the best strategy available.