Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2003

Publication Title

Journal of Bacteriology

Department

Geisel School of Medicine

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen associated with nosocomial infections. It can persist in clinical settings and gain increased resistance to antimicrobial agents through biofilm formation. We have found that alpha-toxin, a secreted, multimeric, hemolytic toxin encoded by the hla gene, plays an integral role in biofilm formation. The hla mutant was unable to fully colonize plastic surfaces under both static and flow conditions. Based on microscopy studies, we propose that alpha-hemolysin is required for cell-to-cell interactions during biofilm formation.

DOI

10.1128/JB.185.10.3214-3217.2003

Original Citation

Caiazza NC, O'Toole GA. Alpha-toxin is required for biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus. J Bacteriol. 2003 May;185(10):3214-7. doi: 10.1128/jb.185.10.3214-3217.2003. PMID: 12730182; PMCID: PMC154062.

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