Staphylococcus Aureus: Interplay Between Bacteria and Hosts

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic human pathogen that colonizes the mucosal surfaces. It is the causative agent of various serious acute and chronic infections. Recent prevalence of infectious diseases caused and expanded by hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA), community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) and livestock-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (LA-MRSA). MRSA infections must be more serious problem in near future.

It is presumed that offense and defense responses are continuously executed between S. aureus and host to establish and maintain commensalism for S. aureus. Therefore, it is essential to elucidate interplay between S. aureus and hosts to prevent staphylococcal infectious diseases. This book is comprised of content that focuses on this aspect.

Akio Nakane

Akio Nakane is emeritus professor at Hirosaki University, specially appointed professor at Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, and professor at Hirosaki University of Health and Welfare, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan. With expertise in bacteriology, virology and immunology, Nakane investigated roles of cytokines including interferons (IFNs) in infections with Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus at Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan (1976-1994). Nakane verified that the essential roles of TNF-a and IFN-g in innate and adaptive defense against L. monocytogenes infection. After transfer to Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine (1994-), Nakane noticed staphylococcal superantigenic toxins and his project developed toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) vaccine against S. aureus infection with Prof. Hu and also clarified novel functions of TSST-1 with Prof. Asano and an emetic mechanism of staphylococcal enterotoxin A using house musk shrew and common marmoset.

Krisana Asano

Krisana Asano is a professor at Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. With expertise in molecular biology and genetic engineering, Asano brings a wealth of experience in bacteria-host interactions to her work with the team of Professor Akio Nakane. With over fifteen years’ experiences, Asano has a proven track record of publishing papers on bacterial infection mechanisms, particularly on Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus infections. Based on the intracellular survival mechanism of bacteria, Asano specializes in immune invasion and autophagy interaction to S. aureus. Her expertise and enthusiastic approach enhance the quality of this book, providing readers with profound insights and knowledge.