Memoria para optar al título de Ingeniero en Alimentos / La desinfección de verduras y frutas es un tratamiento, destinado a reducir la microflora presente en forma natural en estos alimentos o aquella que se incorpora a través de las distintas etapas que ocurren desde su cultivo, hasta que el producto sea expendido y consumido. La desinfección también abarca las superficies y equipos de trabajo, donde se procesan y manipulan alimentos, para así asegurar la inocuidad al consumidor. Se realizó un estudio comparativo in vitro de la actividad germicida de un desinfectante, compuesto por una mezcla de monoéster de propilenglicol, ácido láctico y ácido cítrico, entre otros. Este fue probado a diferentes tiempos de acción y concentraciones, incluyendo la recomendada por el fabricante. Las pruebas se realizaron frente a cepas de Staphylococcus aureus salvaje y ATCC 29213 y Escherichia coli salvaje y ATCC 25922. Se determinó la cinética de muerte de los microorganismos para así evaluar la eficacia germicida del desinfectante, la velocidad específica de muerte, coeficiente de dilución y el tiempo de reducción de los microorganismos. La eficiencia germicida in vitro del desinfectante a 400 ppm fue de 99,999%, para Escherichia coli salvaje, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 y Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 a los 15 minutos, lo cual demuestra que es un buen bactericida, para dichas cepas. Sin embargo, para Staphylococcus aureus salvaje solo se observó un 99,850% de eficacia a la misma concentración y tiempo. Staphylococcus aureus salvaje y ATCC 29213 resultó más resistente que Escherichia coli salvaje y ATCC 25922 lo cual se demuestra por los valores obtenidos para el tiempo de reducción decimal y velocidad específica de muerte / The disinfection of vegetables and fruits is a treatment aimed to reduce the microflora that grows naturally in these foodstuffs or that is incorporated through different occurring stages from cultivation until the product is sold and consumed. Disinfection also must be carried out on the working surfaces and equipments where food is processed and manipulated, to ensure the safety for the consumer. In this study, an in vitro comparative study of the germicide activity of a disinfectant composed of a mixture of monoester of propylene glycol, lactic acid and citric acid among others, was performed. This product was tested at different action times and concentrations, including those recommended by the manufacturer. The tests were carried out against wild type and ATCC strains of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). The evaluated parameters were the kinetics of death of the microorganisms, the germicide efficacy of the disinfectant, the specific death rate, the dilution coefficient and the reduction time of the microorganisms. The in vitro germicide efficiency of the disinfectant at 400 ppm during 15 minutes of contact was 99,999%, for the wild type of Escherichia coli, for Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213. This fact demonstrates that the disinfectant has a good bactericide effect on the assayed microorganisms; however, for the wild type of Staphylococcus aureus only a 99, 850% of efficacy using the same concentration and time was observed. The wild type of Staphylococcus aureus and the ATCC 29213 strain showed a greater resistance than the two strains of Escherichia coli, which is demonstrated in the results obtained for the decimal reduction time and specific death rate

Reporter gene technology has facilitated greatly the analysis of gene expression and the study of individual promoters and their regulation. Although various reporter gene systems are available, none of them are universally applicable and consequently, studies aimed at screening of new reporters are continuing. Toward this end, an acid phosphatase, designated SapS, was identified and characterized from the culture supernatant of a Staphylococcus aureus strain isolated from vegetables. Biochemical characterization of the 30-kDa monomeric enzyme indicated that it displayed optimum activity at 40°C and pH 5, using p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) as substrate. The enzymatic activity was enhanced by Mg2+, but was inhibited by EDTA and molybdate. Based on its properties and amino acid sequence analyses, SapS was classified as a new member of the bacterial class C family of non-specific acid phosphatases. The S. aureus SapS enzyme was subsequently evaluated as a reporter for host strain evaluation and cell surface display. Bacillus halodurans of which the major cell wall protease gene (wprA) was inactivated was used as expression host, and the cell wall-binding domain of the cwlC gene from B. halodurans was used as an anchoring motif for cell surface display. The results from in vitro enzyme activity assays indicated that extracellular production of the SapS reporter enzyme was improved 3.5-fold in the mutant compared to wild-type B. halodurans strain. Zymographic detection of SapS activity showed that the SapS-CwlC fusion protein was localized in the B. halodurans cell wall fraction, thus demonstrating the potential of SapS as a reporter for cell surface display of heterologous proteins. The versatility of the SapS enzyme as a reporter for gene expression and protein secretion in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was also investigated. Transcriptional and translational fusions of the sapS gene with selected heterologous promoters and signal sequences were constructed, and expressed in Escherichia coli, B. subtilis and B. halodurans. The strongest promoter for heterologous protein production in each of the host strains was identified, i.e. the E. coli lacZ promoter in E. coli, the B. halodurans alkaline protease promoter in B. subtilis, and the B. halodurans σD promoter in B. halodurans. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

Submitted by Amauri Alves (amauri.alves@ufv.br) on 2015-11-03T16:31:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 761509 bytes, checksum: e43a21fc075340daf4e14f9f668c7d07 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-03T16:31:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 761509 bytes, checksum: e43a21fc075340daf4e14f9f668c7d07 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-24 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Staphylococcus aureus é um patógeno humano oportunista que apresenta riscos a saúde humana, é capaz de aderir em superfícies bióticas e abióticas e formar biofilmes, tornando as células mais protegidas e de difícil remoção. Células liberadas do biofilme podem se constituir em importante fonte de contaminação de alimentos, comprometendo a qualidade e a segurança dos mesmos. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito da bacteriocina nisina e dos sanitizantes hipoclorito de sódio e ácido peracético, em concentrações subinibitórias, sobre a hidrofobicidade da superfície de poliestireno, sobre o crescimento e formação de biofilmes por estirpes de S. aureus e ainda, verificar a interferência da nisina sobre a composição e estrutura do biofilme desse patógeno. Células de Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984 foram usadas como referência para formação de biofilmes. O cultivo das bactérias foi feito em caldo Luria-Bertani (LB) ou em meio sintético (MS). A presença de genes de adesão foi determinada pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e os três genes avaliados, icaA, icaD e clfB, foram encontrados nas estirpes COL e FRI 722 de S. aureus, enquanto a estirpe Embrapa 4018 de S. aureus e em S. epidermidis, apenas o gene icaA foi identificado. A hidrofobicidade da superfície de poliestireno foi avaliada por meio da medida do ângulo de contato e constatou-se que o meio LB reduziu a hidrofobicidade da superfície, dificultando a observação do efeito dos antimicrobianos sobre a mesma. O tratamento da superfície de poliestireno com MS adicionado de 1,34 mg/L de nisina reduziu a adesão de S. aureus. Concentrações subinibitórias de 2,01 mg/L; 1.500 mg/L e 0,40 mg/L respectivamente dos antimicrobianos nisina, hipoclorito de sódio e do ácido peracético foram adicionadas isoladamente ou combinadas entre si ao caldo LB e constatou-se a diminuição da formação de biofilmes pela cultura mista de estirpes de S. aureus e por S. epidermidis em microplacas de poliestireno quando os antimicrobianos agiram isoladamente. A composição de polissacarídeos e DNA nos biofilmes de S. aureus e S. epidermidis foi alterada quando o cultivo ocorreu na presença de 2,01 mg/L de nisina. Entretanto, o conteúdo em proteínas nos biofilmes formados pela cultura viiimista das estirpes de S. aureus estudadas ou por S. epidermidis não foi alterado pela presença de nisina no meio de cultura em concentração subinibitória. A estrutura do biofilme de S. aureus e S. epidermidis foi avaliada por microscopia confocal a laser, confirmando os resultados quantitativos de que a presença de concentração subinibitória de nisina reduz a formação de biofilmes por estas espécies. Estes resultados demonstram que a investigação de produtos alternativos para auxiliar no controle e combate aos biofilmes é estratégia promissora além de contribuir com informações sobre a composição do biofilme de S. aureus. / Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic human pathogen that represents risks to the human health and is able to adhere and form biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces, being cells more protected and difficult to remove. Cells released from biofilms can be an important source of food contamination, compromising quality and safety. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of the bacteriocin nisin and the sanitizers sodi- um hypochlorite and peracetic acid, in subinhibitory concentration, on the polystyrene surface hydrophobicity, on the growth and biofilm formation by S. aureus strains and also, verify the interference of nisin on the composition and structure of the pathogen biofilm. As a control of biofilm formation, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984 was used. Bacteria were cultivated in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth or in synthetic medium (SM). The presence of adhesion genes was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the three evaluated genes, icaA, icaD, and clfB, were found in S. aureus COL and FRI 722, while in the strain Embrapa 4018 and in S. epidermidis, only icaA gene was identified. The hydrophobicity of the polystyrene surface was evaluated by the con- tact angle measurement and it was found that the LB broth reduced the surface hydro- phobicity by itself, hindering the observation of the antimicrobials effect on it. Treat- ment of the polystyrene surface with SM supplemented with 1.34 mg/L of nisin reduced S.aureus adhesion. Subinhibitory concentrations of 2.01 mg/L; 1,500 mg/L and 0.40 mg/L of the antimicrobials nisin, sodium hypochlorite, and peracetic acid, respectively, were added separately or combined with each other in LB broth and the reduction of biofilm formed by S. aureus strains and S. epidermidis in polystyrene microtiter plates occurred when the antimicrobials acted alone. The content of polysaccharides and DNA in the biofilms of S. aureus and S. epidermidis was altered when cultivated in the pres- ence of 2.01 mg/L of nisin. However, the protein percentage in the biofilm formed by the culture mix composed by the three studied strains of S aureus or by S. epidermidis was not modified by the presence culture medium supplemented with subinhibitory concentration of nisin. Biofilm formation by S. aureus and S. epidermidis was also evaluated by confocal laser microscopy, confirming the quantitative results in which xsubinhibitory concentrations of nisin reduces biofilm by these species. These results demonstrate that the investigation of alternative products to help control and eradicate biofilms is a potential strategy and also provides information on the composition of S. aureus biofilms.

This study examines the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in midwestern swine herds and the workers in those herds.

No description available.

Tesis para optar al Grado de Magíster en Ciencias Animales y Veterinarias / La mastitis bovina es la enfermedad de mayor prevalencia en la industria lechera y la de mayor importancia, ya que provoca enormes pérdidas económicas que oscilan entre el 30 y el 70% de las pérdidas totales. El principal problema a nivel productivo está representado por la mastitis subclínica, la cual tiende a la persistencia o cronicidad, y a ser refractaria a tratamiento antibiótico. Este tipo de mastitis es comúnmente causado por Staphylococcus aureus y suele ser la forma de presentación más frecuente en los planteles lecheros a nivel mundial. El objetivo de esta tesis fue determinar diferencias entre cepas de S. aureus provenientes de vacas con mastitis persistentes y de vacas con mastitis transitorias respecto a su capacidad de formación de biofilm e invasión celular, y a su genotipificación capsular. Para ello, se seleccionaron aislados provenientes de mastitis bovinas persistentes y transitorias, que fueron caracterizados según su perfil de resistencia a antibióticos y tipificados mediante la técnica de Electroforesis en Campo Pulsado (Pulsed-Field). Se evaluó in vitro la formación de biofilm en placas de 96 pocillos y la invasión celular con células MAC-T. La genotipificación capsular (cap5-cap8) de las cepas se llevó a cabo mediante técnica de PCR. Además, mediante esta misma técnica se realizó la detección de los genes implicados en la formación de biofilm e invasión celular (operón icaADBC, bap, fnbA, fnbB). Se lograron identificar aislados de S. aureus persistentes y transitorios (n=30) en la glándula mamaria bovina mediante PFGE. Dichos aislados se agruparon en diferentes pulsotipos, demostrando una elevada diversidad genética, y en general fueron sensibles a todos los antibióticos ensayados (n=12), incluída la meticilina. El gen cap5 fue el de mayor frecuencia, pesquisándose en todas las cepas provenientes de vacas con mastitis persistentes y en una cepa proveniente de una vaca con mastitis transitoria; el resto de las cepas fueron “no tipificables”. Todas las cepas analizadas fueron capaces de formar biofilm, sin embargo, las cepas de S. aureus provenientes de vacas con mastitis persistentes formaron mayor cantidad de biofilm que las cepas de S. aureus provenientes de vacas con mastitis transitorias. En paralelo, todas las cepas fueron capaces de invadir células MAC-T, sin embargo, esta última capacidad fue baja en general y no se asoció con la manifestación de la mastitis o con el origen de las cepas (cepas provenientes de vacas con mastitis persistentes o mastitis transitorias). En conclusión, las cepas de S. aureus provenientes de vacas con mastitis persistentes codificaron en su genoma el gen cap5 y formaron mayor cantidad de biofilm que las cepas de S. aureus provenientes de vacas con mastitis transitorias / Bovine mastitis is the most prevalent and important disease in the dairy industry, since it causes huge economic losses ranging among 30 and 70% of total losses. The main problem at the production level is represented by subclinical mastitis, which tends to persistence or chronicity and to be refractory to antibiotic treatment. This type of mastitis is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and is usually the most frequent form of presentation in dairy farms in the world. The aim of this thesis was to determine differences between strains of S. aureus from cows with persistent mastitis and cows with transient mastitis respect to their biofilm formation capacity, cell invasion capacity, and their capsular genotyping. isolates from persistent and transient bovine mastitis were selected and characterized according to their antibiotic resistance profile and typified by the Pulsed-Field technique. The formation of biofilm in 96 well plates and the cellular invasion with MAC-T cells were evaluated. Capsular genotyping (cap5-cap8) of the strains was carried out by PCR technique. In addition, the detection of the genes involved in the formation of biofilm and cellular invasion (operon icaADBC, bap, fnbA, fnbB) was carried out using the same technique. It was possible to identify persistent and transient S. aureus isolates (n=30) in the bovine mammary gland using the Pulsed-Field technique. Those isolates were grouped into different pulsotypes showing a high genetic diversity, and in general were sensitive to all antibiotics tested (n=12), including methicillin. The cap5 gene was the most frequent, being identified in all strains from cows with persistent mastitis and in one strain from a cow with transient mastitis; the rest of the strains were "non-typeable". All the strains were able to form biofilm, however, strains of S. aureus from cows with persistent mastitis formed more biofilm than strains of S. aureus from cows with transient mastitis. In parallel, all the strains were able to invade MAC-T cells, however, this last capacity was low in general and was not associated with the manifestation of mastitis or with the origin of the strains (strains from cows with persistent mastitis or transient mastitis). In conclusion, S. aureus strains from cows with persistent mastitis encoded the cap5 gene in their genome and formed more biofilm than S. aureus strains from cows with transient mastitis

Staphylococcus aureus est l’une des causes majeures des infections communautaires et nosocomiales. Ce germe est responsable des infections aiguës et chroniques dont la plupart sont dues à sa capacité à adhérer sur les implants médicaux et à former un biofilm. D’après le Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 65% des infections bactériennes sont dues à la présence des biofilms. En outre, les infections associées aux biofilms constituent un problème majeur en clinique et sont la cause de l’augmentation de la mortalité et du coût de traitement. <p>Chez S. aureus, la formation du biofilm se déroule en deux phases principales: la première phase est l’attachement initial des cellules sur une surface, et la seconde est la multiplication et la formation d’une communauté structurée, mature et multicouche des cellules bactériennes. A l’intérieur du biofilm, les bactéries développent plusieurs types d’interactions et accroissent leur résistance aux agents antimicrobiens et aux défenses immunitaires de l’hôte, ce qui constitue un véritable problème de santé publique.<p>Les objectifs de ce travail étaient: (1) de caractériser des souches cliniques de S. aureus sensibles et résistantes à la méticilline (SASM et SARM) par une analyse phénotypique et génotypique; (2) d’étudier la répercussion des propriétés de membranes sur l’adhésion et la formation du biofilm; (3) de rechercher un moyen pour la prévention de l’adhésion et de la formation d’un biofilm sur une surface abiotique.<p>Deux souches de référence et 12 souches cliniques de S. aureus (4 SARM et 8 SASM) collectées à Kinshasa ont été caractérisées par la résistance aux antibiotiques, par le typage d’une région X du gène spa codant pour la protéine A de S. aureus et par la détermination des propriétés de la surface cellulaire. L’adhésion à une surface et la formation du biofilm ont été respectivement étudiées par la méthode de Biofilm Ring Test® (BFRT®) et par celle de coloration au cristal violet. Ces deux méthodes ont été utilisées pour l’évaluation de l’activité de l’acide éthylèneglycol tétraacétique (EGTA) sur l’adhésion et la formation du biofilm.<p>L’amplification par PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) d’un fragment du gène mecA a confirmé l’appartenance des souches étudiées au phénotype SARM ou SASM. L’analyse par PCR des répétitions présentes dans la séquence codante de la protéine A de S. aureus (spa typing) a permis d’identifier 7 types spa pour toutes les souches SARM et SASM2 dont un nouveau type spa t10715.<p>Les résultats du test MATS (Microbial Adhesion to Solvents) ont montré que les souches de S. aureus sensibles et résistantes à la méticilline possédaient des propriétés membranaires différentes susceptibles de modifier l’adhésion ou la formation d’un biofilm. Les souches sensibles à la méticilline avaient une paroi plus hydrophobe que celle de souches résistantes dont la paroi était acide, acceptrice d’électrons. <p>Les études sur l’interaction entre des souches cliniques de S. aureus et des surfaces abiotiques ont montré que les souches SARM adhéraient moins vite à une surface et formaient moins de biofilms que les souches SASM. <p>Les études de l’activité de l’EGTA, un chélateur des cations divalents, ont montré que ce dernier inhibait l’adhésion de souches SARM à une surface abiotique comme un tube de cathéter et empêchait la formation d’un biofilm par toutes les souches sensibles et résistantes à la méticilline. Cette action inhibitrice sur la formation du biofilm était réversible en présence d’un cation divalent (magnésium, calcium ou manganèse). <p>L’ensemble des données obtenues sur l’adhésion et la formation du biofilm par la méthode de BFRT® et par celle de coloration au cristal violet ont montré que le BFRT® était la méthode de choix dans les études de l’adhésion initiale des souches de S. aureus sur une surface abiotique. Le BFRT® pourrait être utilisée dans le screening rapide de produits contre l’adhésion bactérienne à la surface des implants médicaux à base de polystyrène ou de silicone.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Bakgrund Sedan 1950-talet har meticillinresistenta Staphylococcus aureus orsakat stora problem inom hälso- och sjukvården och är idag en av de vanligaste vårdrelaterade infektionerna som skapar stort lidande. Basala hygienrutiner är den enskilt viktigaste åtgärden för att förhindra smittspridning. Sjuksköterskan kan uppleva oro och rädsla vid omvårdnad av patienter med meticillinresistenta Staphylococcus aureus. Detta kan påverkas av hennes kunskap och tidigare erfarenheter. Syfte Syftet var att beskriva sjuksköterskans upplevelser av att vårda patienter med meticillinresistenta Staphylococcus aureus. Metod En kvalitativ intervjustudie valdes som metod. En halvstrukturerad intervjuguide användes som stöd vid intervjuerna. Sex intervjuer genomfördes. Analys av insamlat material genomfördes med hjälp av kvalitativ innehållsanalys med induktiv ansats. Resultat Sjuksköterskornas upplevelse påverkades av tidigare kunskap och erfarenhet. Rutiner och riktlinjer ansågs viktiga för att säkert kunna bedriva en patientsäker vård men dessa påverkade omvårdnadskvaliteten för patienten. Tillgänglig information ansågs bristfällig vilket kunde leda till osäkerhet hos sjuksköterskorna om vad som gällde. Arbetsbelastningen ökade och orsakade stress hos sjuksköterskorna när patienter med MRSA vårdades på avdelningen, kohortvård ansågs vara den främsta orsaken till detta. Slutsats Omvårdnad av patienter med MRSA är resurskrävande vilket skapar en ökad arbetsbelastning. Sjuksköterskorna saknade kortfattad information om rutiner och riktlinjer. Brister i följsamheten till rutiner och riktlinjer uppstod när det inte fanns tillräckligt med personal.

Superantigens are exotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus and induce extensive T cell proliferation and proinflammatory cytokines, leading to toxic shock syndrome at high concentrations. However, the role of superantigens produced at relatively low concentrations during asymptomatic colonization or chronic infection has not been well established. In this dissertation, we demonstrated that stimulation of human PBMCs with staphylococcal enterotoxin C1 (SEC1) at the dose inducing a half maximal T cell proliferation (suboptimal stimulation) induced immunosuppressive CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD8+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells. The suppression of these cells was mainly mediated by the galectin-1. We found that suboptimal stimulation with SEC1 induced differential activation of PI3K-mTOR-Akt pathway, leading to expression of FOXP3 isoforms preferably localized to the nucleus and induction of PTEN that contributes to maintain stability and suppressive activity of regulatory T cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate the important role of superantigen produced at low concentration during asymptomatic colonization that induce immunosuppressive CD4+ and CD8+ regulatory T cells to promote survival, propagation, and colonization for S. aureus in the host.

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive commensal bacterium, that asymptomatically colonizes human skin and mucosal surfaces. Upon opportune conditions, such as immunodeficiency or breached barriers of the host, it can cause a plethora of infections ranging from local, superficial infections to life-threatening diseases. Despite being regarded as an extracellular pathogen, S. aureus can invade and survive within non-phagocytic and phagocytic cells. Eventually, the pathogen escapes from the host cell resulting in killing of the host cell, which is associated with tissue destruction and spread of infection. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying S. aureus-induced host cell death remain to be elucidated. In the present work, a genome-wide haploid genetic screen was performed to identify host cell genes crucial for S. aureus intracellular cytotoxicity. A mutant library of the haploid cell line HAP1 was infected with the pathogen and cells surviving the infection were selected. Twelve genes were identified, which were significantly enriched when compared to an infection with a non-cytotoxic S. aureus strain. Additionally, characteristics of regulated cell death pathways and the role of Ca2+ signaling in S. aureus-infected cells were investigated. Live cell imaging of Ca2+ reporter cell lines was used to analyze single cells. S. aureus-induced host cell death exhibited morphological features of apoptosis and activation of caspases was detected. Cellular H2O2 levels were elevated during S. aureus intracellular infection. Further, intracellular S. aureus provoked cytosolic Ca2+ overload in epithelial cells. This resulted from Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum and Ca2+ influx via the plasma membrane and led to mitochondrial Ca2+ overload. The final step of S. aureus-induced cell death was plasma membrane permeabilization, a typical feature of necrotic cell death. In order to identify bacterial virulence factors implicated in S. aureus-induced host cell killing, the cytotoxicity of selected mutants was investigated. Intracellular S. aureus employs the bacterial cysteine protease staphopain A to activate an apoptosis-like cell death characterized by cell contraction and membrane bleb formation. Phagosomal escape represents a prerequisite staphopain A-induced cell death, whereas bacterial intracellular replication is dispensable. Moreover, staphopain A contributed to efficient colonization of the lung in a murine pneumonia model. In conclusion, this work identified at least two independent cell death pathways activated by intracellular S. aureus. While initially staphopain A mediates S. aureus-induced host cell killing, cytosolic Ca2+-overload follows later and leads to the final demise of the host cell. / Staphylococcus aureus ist ein Gram-positives, kommensales Bakterium, welches menschliche Haut- und Schleimhautoberflächen asymptomatisch kolonisiert. Unter günstigen Bedingungen, wie z. B. Immunschwäche oder verletzten Barrieren des Wirtes, kann es eine Vielzahl von Infektionen verursachen, die von lokalen, oberflächlichen Infektionen bis hin zu lebensbedrohlichen Krankheiten reichen. Obwohl S. aureus als extrazellulärer Erreger angesehen wird, kann das Bakterium von nicht-phagozytischen und phagozytischen Zellen aufgenommen werden und dort überleben. Schließlich bricht das Pathogen aus der Wirtszelle aus und die damit einhergehende Tötung der Wirtszelle wird mit Gewebezerstörung und Ausbreitung der Infektion in Verbindung gebracht. Die genauen molekularen Mechanismen, die dem S. aureus induzierten Wirtszelltod zugrunde liegen, müssen jedoch noch geklärt werden. In dieser Arbeit wurde ein genomweiter haploid genetischer Screen durchgeführt, um Wirtszellgene zu identifizieren, die für die intrazelluläre Zytotoxizität von S. aureus entscheidend sind. Eine Mutantenbibliothek der haploiden Zelllinie HAP1 wurde mit dem Erreger infiziert und die Zellen, die die Infektion überlebten, wurden selektiert. Dabei wurden zwölf Gene identifiziert, die signifikant angereichert waren gegenüber einer Infektion mit einem nicht-zytotoxischen S. aureus Stamm. Des Weiteren wurden Eigenschaften regulierter Zelltod-Signalwege und die Rolle der Ca2+-Signalübertragung in S. aureus infizierten Zellen untersucht. Lebendzellbildgebung von Ca2+-Reporterzelllinien wurde zur Analyse von einzelnen Zellen eingesetzt. Der S. aureus induzierte Wirtszelltod wies morphologische Merkmale von Apoptose auf und die Aktivierung von Caspasen wurde nachgewiesen. Der zelluläre H2O2-Spiegel wurde durch die intrazelluläre Infektion mit S. aureus erhöht. Zusätzlich rief der intrazelluläre S. aureus eine zytosolische Ca2+-Überbelastung in Epithelzellen hervor. Dies resultierte aus der Ca2+-Freisetzung vom endoplasmatischen Retikulum und dem Einstrom von Ca2+ über die Plasmamembran und führte zu einer mitochondrialen Ca2+-Überbelastung. Der finale Schritt des durch S. aureus induzierten Zelltods war die Permeabilisierung der Plasmamembran, ein typisches Merkmal des nekrotischen Zelltods. Um bakterielle Virulenzfaktoren zu identifizieren, die am S. aureus-induzierten Wirtszelltod beteiligt sind, wurde die Zytotoxizität von ausgewählten Mutanten untersucht. Der intrazelluläre S. aureus nutzt die bakterielle Cysteinprotease Staphopain A, um einen Apoptose-artigen Zelltod zu aktivieren, der durch Zellkontraktion und Blasenbildung der Membran gekennzeichnet ist. Der phagosomale Ausbruch stellt eine Voraussetzung für den Staphopain A-induzierten Zelltod da, während die intrazelluläre Replikation der Bakterien nicht notwendig ist. Darüber hinaus trug Staphopain A zu einer effizienten Kolonisation der Lunge in einem murinen Pneumonie-Modell bei. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass diese Arbeit mindestens zwei unabhängige Zelltod-Signalwege identifiziert hat, die durch den intrazellulären S. aureus aktiviert werden. Während zunächst Staphopain A den Tod der Wirtszelle einleitet, folgt später die zytosolische Ca2+-Überlastung und führt zum endgültigen Untergang der Wirtszelle.