Diverse Molecular Mechanisms Underpinning Staphylococcus Aureus Small Colony Variants

Small colony variants (SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus are a relatively rare but clinically significant growth morphotype. Infections with SCVs are frequently difficult to treat, inherently antibiotic-resistant, and can lead to persistent infections. Despite a long history of research, the molecular underpinnings of this morphotype and their impact on the clinical trajectory of infections remain unclear. However, a growing body of literature indicates that SCVs are caused by a diverse range of molecular factors. These recent findings suggest that SCVs should be thought of as an ensemble collection of loosely related phenotypes, and not as a single phenomenon. This review describes the diverse mechanisms currently known to contribute to SCVs and proposes an ensemble model for conceptualizing this morphotype.