Question

Explain how Staphylococcus aureus strains acquire virulence factors.

Answer 1

The acquisition of virulence factors by S. aureus happens via horizontal gene transfer of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that allows fast adaptation to host environment. S.aureus MGEs include plasmids, transposons, insertion sequences, pathogenicity islands, and staphylococcal cassette chromosomes. MGEs make 25% of S. aureus genome and contain both virulence factors and antibiotic determinants.