Staphylococcus Epidermidis and Its Dual Lifestyle in Skin Health and Infection

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Microbiol

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Microbiology

Date 2022 Aug 30

PMID 36042296

Authors

Morgan M Severn

Alexander R Horswill

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The coagulase-negative bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis is a member of the human skin microbiota. S. epidermidis is not merely a passive resident on skin but actively primes the cutaneous immune response, maintains skin homeostasis and prevents opportunistic pathogens from causing disease via colonization resistance. However, it is now appreciated that S. epidermidis and its interactions with the host exist on a spectrum of potential pathogenicity derived from its high strain-level heterogeneity. S. epidermidis is the most common cause of implant-associated infections and is a canonical opportunistic biofilm former. Additional emerging evidence suggests that some strains of S. epidermidis may contribute to the pathogenesis of common skin diseases. Here, we highlight new developments in our understanding of S. epidermidis strain diversity, skin colonization dynamics and its multifaceted interactions with the host and other members of the skin microbiota.

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