The association of gene mutation with clinical characyter in MRSA infection

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K08426
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Iwata Yasunori 金沢大学, 附属病院, 特任教授 (90432137)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: MRSA / 遺伝子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common pathogenic bacterium that causes nosocomial and community-acquired infections. MRSA infection can cause severe illness not only in immunocompromised patients but also in healthy people. Therefore, the understanding the pathogenesis and developing novel therapeutic option are of important. We have focused on the association between bacterial gene and clinical phenotype on MRSA infection. We revealed that the bacterial genotype affects the clinical characteristics of MRSA infection. Moreover, The frequency of gene mutations on resistant gene loci were gradually decreased along with the increased sensitivity of beta-lactam antibiotics. Then, we found that D-Serine inhibits the attachment and biofilm formation of MRSA by reducing the expression of the related genes. These results highlight the association of gene mutation with phenotype of infection.

Free Research Field

感染症学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これらの結果は、菌体側の接着・バイオフィルム関連遺伝子情報が、感染症の病態と相関し、血流感染症の予知因子となる可能性を示していた。さらに、接着・バイオフィルム関連遺伝子が新規治療標的となる可能性も考えられ、新たなバイオマーカーや、新規抗菌薬開発のターゲットとして、有用であることが示された。今後の感染症対策を考えるうえで、重要な結果であると考えられた。