Molecular-genetic portrait of virulence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Abstract

Introduction. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen that is intrinsically resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. The bacterium is associated with a number of serious diseases and makes a significant contribution to the pathogenesis of polymicrobial infections. S. maltophilia has a wide range of virulence factors, information about which is currently presented in the form of scattered and unconsolidated data. Purposes and objectives: critically analyze and summarize current data regarding the molecular-genetic aspects of S. maltophilia virulence for better understanding of the pathogenesis of infections associated with this pathogen. Materials and methods. An analysis of information from 80 modern literary sources devoted to the study of the virulent properties of S. maltophilia at the molecular-genetic level has been carried out. The analysis focuses on the mechanisms of production of virulence factors and their genetic determinants. Results.The molecular mechanisms of virulence that determine the infectious process caused by S. maltophilia have been analyzed and summarized, including the adhesive function of the surface structures of the bacterial cell (lipopolysaccharides, pili/fimbriae, flagella), the production of extracellular enzymes, the ability to form biofilms on abiotic surfaces and on the tissues of the macroorganism, the functioning of efflux pumps, secretion of small molecules into the external environment by the intercellular information exchange system Quorum Sensing, as well as the influence of iron metabolism on the virulence properties of S. maltophilia. Conclusion. The adaptation mechanisms that allow S. maltophilia to adapt to new habitat niches and survive in the human body and unfavorable environmental conditions have been poorly studied. An analytical review summarizing current information on the molecular-genetic aspects of S. maltophilia virulence will be of interest to clinicians and researchers studying the fundamental mechanisms of virulence.