Microbiology Insights

¹Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University, Rubião Júnior, Botucatu, SP, 18.618-000, Brazil.  ²Department of Tropical Diseases and Imaging Diagnosis, School of Medicine, São Paulo State University, Rubião Júnior, Botucatu, SP, 18.618–000, Brazil.

Abstract

Representatives of the Staphylococcus genus are the most common pathogens found in hospital environments, and they are etiological agents for a large variety of infections. Various virulence factors are responsible for the symptoms and severity of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Among them are staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs), which cause staphylococcal food poisoning, and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). Some reports indicate that TSST-1 and staphylococcal enterotoxins are also produced by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). The present review aimed to discuss general aspects of staphylococcal toxins as well as the epidemiology, genetics and detection of toxins in Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, since these microorganisms are becoming more and more frequent in nosocomial infections.