文摘
The staphylococcal aggressiveness score (SAS) assesses tetrad morphology, aggregative adhesion and methicillin resistance. The score discriminates between biofilm-related relapse-prone (score 0 or 1) and acute fulminant infections (score 2 or 3). Staphylococci infecting immunocompetent patients direct their energy reserve towards producing soluble virulence factors. Staphylococci infecting immunocompromised patients downregulate virulence expression while displaying increased fitness. Cluster adhesion, a novel bacterial trait, correlates with staphylococcal adhesion and invasion.