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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2011; 32(2): 228-235
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1275535
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Therapies against Virulence Products of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Jeanine P. Wiener-Kronish1 , Jean-Francois Pittet2 , 3 , 4
  • 1Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
  • 2Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Division, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
  • 3Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
  • 4Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 April 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are key pathogens in hospitals (particularly intensive care units), in long-term care facilities, and in outpatients with specific comorbidities and risk factors. Both MRSA and P. aeruginosa display resistance to a wide array of antibiotics. Further, both bacteria contain a variety of virulence products or systems that make it difficult to treat associated infections. Within the past several years, community-acquired MRSA containing virulence factors [particularly the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene] has emerged globally. Given the limited number of novel antibiotics to treat antibiotic-resistant organisms, there is growing interest in treating bacterial infections by targeting specific virulence products or systems. This article reviews potential therapeutic targets in the virulence systems of these two bacteria that are responsible for a large number of serious infections in critically ill patients.

KEYWORDS

Methicillin-resistant S. aureus - Pseudomonas aeruginosa - virulence - antibiotic resistance - Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene - toxins - exotoxins

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Jeanine P Wiener-KronishM.D. 

Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital

GRB 444, Boston, MA 02114

Email: jwiener-kronish@partners.org

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