Advances in research on small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus
Small colony variants (SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus have emerged as critical contributors to persistent and recurrent infections, posing significant challenges in clinical management. Characterized by slow growth, reduced metabolic activity, and increased antibiotic resistance, SCVs adapt to hosti...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | The Microbe |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950194625002122 |
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| author | Zhiyi Ye Tianchi Chen Qi Zhang Weiyi Huang Lei He |
| author_facet | Zhiyi Ye Tianchi Chen Qi Zhang Weiyi Huang Lei He |
| author_sort | Zhiyi Ye |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Small colony variants (SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus have emerged as critical contributors to persistent and recurrent infections, posing significant challenges in clinical management. Characterized by slow growth, reduced metabolic activity, and increased antibiotic resistance, SCVs adapt to hostile environments through metabolic and regulatory changes. This review synthesizes current advancements in understanding the formation, clinical significance, detection, and treatment of S. aureus SCVs, with a specific focus on summarizing the mechanisms underlying clinically prevalent unstable SCVs and experimentally characterized stable SCVs. We emphasize the role of metabolic deficiencies, such as in heme and menaquinone biosynthesis, in SCV formation and persistence. Regulatory systems, including Agr, SigB, and SarA, are highlighted for their involvement in biofilm formation and immune evasion. Advances in molecular diagnostic tools and emerging therapeutic strategies, such as combination antibiotic regimens and novel inhibitors, are discussed. Understanding SCVs’ unique adaptations is crucial for developing targeted interventions to combat chronic S. aureus infections. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a57067cc85cb402fbd95e0037ee906db |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2950-1946 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Microbe |
| spelling | doaj-art-a57067cc85cb402fbd95e0037ee906db2025-08-20T03:50:26ZengElsevierThe Microbe2950-19462025-09-01810044410.1016/j.microb.2025.100444Advances in research on small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureusZhiyi Ye0Tianchi Chen1Qi Zhang2Weiyi Huang3Lei He4Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, ChinaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, ChinaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, ChinaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, ChinaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China; Corresponding author at: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China.Small colony variants (SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus have emerged as critical contributors to persistent and recurrent infections, posing significant challenges in clinical management. Characterized by slow growth, reduced metabolic activity, and increased antibiotic resistance, SCVs adapt to hostile environments through metabolic and regulatory changes. This review synthesizes current advancements in understanding the formation, clinical significance, detection, and treatment of S. aureus SCVs, with a specific focus on summarizing the mechanisms underlying clinically prevalent unstable SCVs and experimentally characterized stable SCVs. We emphasize the role of metabolic deficiencies, such as in heme and menaquinone biosynthesis, in SCV formation and persistence. Regulatory systems, including Agr, SigB, and SarA, are highlighted for their involvement in biofilm formation and immune evasion. Advances in molecular diagnostic tools and emerging therapeutic strategies, such as combination antibiotic regimens and novel inhibitors, are discussed. Understanding SCVs’ unique adaptations is crucial for developing targeted interventions to combat chronic S. aureus infections.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950194625002122Staphylococcus aureusSmall colony variantsChronic infectionsDiagnosisTreatment |
| spellingShingle | Zhiyi Ye Tianchi Chen Qi Zhang Weiyi Huang Lei He Advances in research on small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus The Microbe Staphylococcus aureus Small colony variants Chronic infections Diagnosis Treatment |
| title | Advances in research on small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus |
| title_full | Advances in research on small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus |
| title_fullStr | Advances in research on small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advances in research on small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus |
| title_short | Advances in research on small colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus |
| title_sort | advances in research on small colony variants of staphylococcus aureus |
| topic | Staphylococcus aureus Small colony variants Chronic infections Diagnosis Treatment |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950194625002122 |
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