Staphylococcus saprophyticus Proteomic Analyses Elucidate Differences in the Protein Repertories among Clinical Strains Related to Virulence and Persistence

Abstract

Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a Gram-positive and coagulase negative cocci that composes the skin microbiota and can act as an opportunistic agent causing urinary tract infections, being more frequent in sexually active young women. The ability of a pathogen to cause infection in the host is associated to its ability to adhere to host cells and to survive host immune defenses. In this work, we presented the comparative proteomic profile of three S. saprophyticus strains. It was possible to characterize differences in the proteome content, specially related to expression of virulence factors. We compiled this data and previous data and we detected one strain (9325) possessing higher production and secretion of proteins related to virulence. Our results show that phenotypic, genotypic, and proteomic differences reflect in the ability to survive during interaction with host cells, since the 9325 strain presented a higher survival rate after macrophage interaction. In counterpart, the 7108 strain that possesses lower content of proteins related to virulence presented higher ability to form biofilm suggesting that this strain can be better adapted to persist in the host and in the environment. Our work describes, for the first time, proteomic flexibility among S. saprophyticus strains, reflecting in virulence and persistence.

Pyelonephritis‐associated Staphylococcus saprophyticus bacteremia in an immunocompetent host: Case report and review of the literature

“…Furthermore, catalase protects S. saprophyticus from being killed by reactive oxygen species. 7 The existence of a renal tract obstruction would favorably enable S. saprophyticus to ascend more proximally toward the renal pelvis causing pyelonephritis as in our case. 8 Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a well-recognized cause of uncomplicated cystitis after E. coli and has been isolated in 42% of young females with uncomplicated cystitis.…”

Combined metagenomic- and culture-based approaches to investigate bacterial strain–level associations with medication-controlled mild-moderate atopic dermatitis

“…Using StrainGST, we observed S aureus strains only in AD samples, specifically in the nonlesional swabs. Strains of S warneri and S saprophyticus , skin commensals that may act opportunistically, 51 , 52 were also observed only in AD samples ( Fig 3 , D ).…”

Combined metagenomic- and culture-based approaches to investigate bacterial strain-level associations with medication-controlled mild-moderate atopic dermatitis

“…Using StrainGST, we observed S. aureus strains only in AD samples, specifically in the nonlesional swabs. Strains of S. warneri and S. saprophyticus, skin commensals that may act opportunistically 50,51 , were also only observed in AD samples (Fig 3D ).…”