Genomic investigation of clinically significant coagulase-negative staphylococci

JMM Profile: Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most abundant commensal bacterium of human skin. Despite protecting us from foreign invaders, S. epidermidis itself exploits human vulnerability when given the opportunity. Such opportunities arise when patients are immunocompromised or when biomedical implants present an opportunity to colonize the surface and form biofilms. S. epidermidis is one of the most frequently isolated organisms from implanted devices and from bloodstream infections. However, S. epidermidis infections are often recalcitrant to antibiotics because of biofilm-associated antibiotic tolerance. Furthermore, the emergence and spread of nearly pan-resistant strains is a considerable health concern. Symptoms can be subclinical, making diagnosis challenging, and treatment with antibiotics is inefficient. For now, infection prevention remains the best strategy available.

Draft Genome Sequences of Staphylococcus sp. Strain CWZ226, of Unknown Origin, and Pseudomonas sp. Strain CVAP#3, Antagonistic to Strain CWZ226

Many Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are opportunistic human pathogens. However, Pseudomonas species are also known to produce bioactive compounds. Here, we report on the genome sequences of a Pseudomonas isolate and a Staphylococcus species of unknown origin that it inhibits.