Disarming <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: Review of Strategies Combating This Resilient Pathogen by Targeting Its Virulence

<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a formidable pathogen notorious for its antibiotic resistance and diverse virulence mechanisms, including toxin production, biofilm formation, and immune evasion. This article explores innovative anti-virulence strategies to disarm <i>S. aureus</i...

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Main Authors: Abdelaziz Touati, Nasir Adam Ibrahim, Takfarinas Idres
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/4/386
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author Abdelaziz Touati
Nasir Adam Ibrahim
Takfarinas Idres
author_facet Abdelaziz Touati
Nasir Adam Ibrahim
Takfarinas Idres
author_sort Abdelaziz Touati
collection DOAJ
description <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a formidable pathogen notorious for its antibiotic resistance and diverse virulence mechanisms, including toxin production, biofilm formation, and immune evasion. This article explores innovative anti-virulence strategies to disarm <i>S. aureus</i> by targeting critical virulence factors without exerting bactericidal pressure. Key approaches include inhibiting adhesion and biofilm formation, neutralizing toxins, disrupting quorum sensing (e.g., Agr system inhibitors), and blocking iron acquisition pathways. Additionally, interventions targeting two-component regulatory systems are highlighted. While promising, challenges such as strain variability, biofilm resilience, pharmacokinetic limitations, and resistance evolution underscore the need for combination therapies and advanced formulations. Integrating anti-virulence strategies with traditional antibiotics and host-directed therapies offers a sustainable solution to combat multidrug-resistant <i>S. aureus</i>, particularly methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), and mitigate the global public health crisis.
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series Pathogens
spelling doaj-art-1fe97c549053403f807ef5e2e99f78ef2025-08-20T02:18:15ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-04-0114438610.3390/pathogens14040386Disarming <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: Review of Strategies Combating This Resilient Pathogen by Targeting Its VirulenceAbdelaziz Touati0Nasir Adam Ibrahim1Takfarinas Idres2Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, FSNV, University of Bejaia, Bejaia 06000, AlgeriaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13318, Saudi ArabiaLaboratory for Livestock Animal Production and Health Research, Rabie Bouchama National Veterinary School of Algiers, Issad ABBAS Street, BP 161 Oued Smar, Algiers 16059, Algeria<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a formidable pathogen notorious for its antibiotic resistance and diverse virulence mechanisms, including toxin production, biofilm formation, and immune evasion. This article explores innovative anti-virulence strategies to disarm <i>S. aureus</i> by targeting critical virulence factors without exerting bactericidal pressure. Key approaches include inhibiting adhesion and biofilm formation, neutralizing toxins, disrupting quorum sensing (e.g., Agr system inhibitors), and blocking iron acquisition pathways. Additionally, interventions targeting two-component regulatory systems are highlighted. While promising, challenges such as strain variability, biofilm resilience, pharmacokinetic limitations, and resistance evolution underscore the need for combination therapies and advanced formulations. Integrating anti-virulence strategies with traditional antibiotics and host-directed therapies offers a sustainable solution to combat multidrug-resistant <i>S. aureus</i>, particularly methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), and mitigate the global public health crisis.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/4/386<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>anti-virulence strategiesadhesion and biofilm inhibitiontoxin neutralizationQS inhibition
spellingShingle Abdelaziz Touati
Nasir Adam Ibrahim
Takfarinas Idres
Disarming <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: Review of Strategies Combating This Resilient Pathogen by Targeting Its Virulence
Pathogens
<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>
anti-virulence strategies
adhesion and biofilm inhibition
toxin neutralization
QS inhibition
title Disarming <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: Review of Strategies Combating This Resilient Pathogen by Targeting Its Virulence
title_full Disarming <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: Review of Strategies Combating This Resilient Pathogen by Targeting Its Virulence
title_fullStr Disarming <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: Review of Strategies Combating This Resilient Pathogen by Targeting Its Virulence
title_full_unstemmed Disarming <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: Review of Strategies Combating This Resilient Pathogen by Targeting Its Virulence
title_short Disarming <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: Review of Strategies Combating This Resilient Pathogen by Targeting Its Virulence
title_sort disarming i staphylococcus aureus i review of strategies combating this resilient pathogen by targeting its virulence
topic <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>
anti-virulence strategies
adhesion and biofilm inhibition
toxin neutralization
QS inhibition
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/4/386
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