Molecular Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

Dear Colleagues,

Since their discovery, antibiotics have revolutionsed medicine, resulting in a major decline in infection related morbidity and mortality. In the last eight decades, the widespread use of antibiotics, has resulted in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). With a post-antibiotic era fast approaching, the rapid rise of AMR has now become one of the greatest threats to human health. Staphylococcus aureus is particularly concerning as it has both an arsenal of virulence factors as well as the ability to acquire resistance to most antibiotics. The clinical use of methicillin has led to the appearance of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), not only in the traditional clinical setting but also in the community setting, leading to infections in people without predisposing risk factors. Treatment of MRSA infections increasingly relies on last resort antibiotics but further resistance to the last line antibiotics is alarming.

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind these complex resistance phenotypes is crucial for novel therapeutic strategies that can circumvent AMR development. Application of new technology such as next-generation sequencing and cryo-eletron microscopy also provides valuable insights into AMR. In this Special Issue we seek manuscript submissions that further our undertanding of the molecular mechanisms of resistance in staphylococci. Submissions addressing resistance to non-pharmaceutical treatments such as phage therapy are also welcomed.

Dr. Jhih-Hang Jiang
Dr. Xenia Kostoulias
Guest Editors

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