Igniting the Fire: Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Factors in the Pathogenesis of Sepsis

Sepsis is a devastating disease process characterized by a systemic inflammatory response in the host, evoked by a known or suspected pathogen. Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as a leading etiologic agent of sepsis, owing to its propensity to cause deep-seated tissue infection and bacteremia [1]. S. aureus harbors an arsenal of virulence factors to facilitate tissue adhesion, immune evasion, and host cell injury. In the bloodstream, these factors cause inflammation, impair immune cell function, alter coagulation, and compromise vascular integrity. This review will discuss key secreted and surface-anchored proteins required for S. aureus infection in the hostile host environment of the bloodstream, emphasizing mechanistic insights on virulence factor function that illustrate the complex nature of the host–pathogen interaction. While we currently lack a clear understanding of the temporal and spatial integration of these virulence factors in the bloodstream, it is apparent that S. aureus triggers pathophysiologic disturbances that are further amplified by the host inflammatory response, culminating in the severe clinical manifestations of sepsis and septic shock.