Temporal and Racial Differences Associated with Atopic Dermatitis Staphylococcus aureus and Encoded Virulence Factors

Abstract

Monitoring pathogen emergence provides insight into how pathogens adapt in the human population. Secreted virulence factors, important contributors to infections, may differ in a manner dependent on the strain and host. Temporal changes of Staphylococcus aureus toxigenic potential, for example, in encoding toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1), contributed to an epidemic of TSS with significant health impact. This study monitored changes in atopic dermatitis (AD) S. aureus isolates and demonstrated both temporal and host infection differences according to host race based on secreted superantigen potential. The current temporal increase in enterotoxin gene cluster superantigen prevalence and lack of the gene encoding TSST-1 in AAs predict differences in infection types and presentations.