Phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) Transport System Is Key To Developing Staph Infection Drug

Electron Microscope Image of Staphylococcus aureus
Credit: CDC

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are developing a new drug based on their studies on phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) that can treat infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus or simply staph, is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria are bacteria that can be stained dark blue or violet by Gram staining. Staphylococcus appear round and form in clusters (see image).

There are about 40 species under the staphylococcus genus and most are harmless. But one strain of staph that may cause problems is the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. It is commonly carried in the skin and the nasal passages (nose) by healthy people. Staphylococcus aureus is resistant to antibiotics and is a common cause of skin infections, respiratory disease, and food poisoning. S. aureus is a surface bacteria and can survive for months depending on the strain.

Infections occur when this bacteria enters the body through an open wound or when the skin is punctured or broken. One dangerous condition is MRSA or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. This is a strain that has become resistant to the medication used to commonly treat ordinary staph infections.