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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #250964
Title: Staphylococcus aureus

Author
item WEESE, SCOTT - University Of Guelph
item MAO, JINZHE - Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS, USDA)
item Donovan, David

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/2010
Publication Date: 12/20/2010
Citation: Weese, S.J., Mao, J., Donovan, D.M. 2010. Staphylococcus aureus. In: Fratamico, P., Liu, Y., Kathariou, S., editors. Genomes of Foodborne and Waterborne Pathogens. 1st edition. Washington, DC: American Society for Microbiology. p. 113-123.

Interpretive Summary: C. Problem -- The purpose of the monograph will be to provide a forum for critical analysis and synthesis of genome sequence information from leading foodborne pathogens. Authors with research expertise in individual pathogen systems will describe the genome sequencing initiative(s) for the organism, and will discuss the contributions that the genome sequence information has made, and is expected to make, in our understanding of the pathogen’s ecology, adaptations, and evolution, not only from the basic science perspective but also from the perspectives of food safety, public health, and regulatory impacts. The monograph will be valuable as reference source to complement curricular needs in the area of Food Microbiology and Food Safety, and will fill a clear void in this regard; however, it is intended to be also useful to basic and applied scientists, and to individuals from the administrative (e.g. science funding), regulatory, and food industry sectors. Basically, the purpose is to address the needs described in the section above. C. Accomplishment -- There are nearly 30 staphylococcal enterotoxin genes involved in S. aureus food poisoning. The homology among the gene products, their mechanism of action, genomic location, putative gene evolution, and role in S. aureus food poisoning are discussed and put into the context of their implication for diagnosis and eradication of food poisoning by S. aureus. C. Contribution of Accomplishment to Solving the Problem – The goal of this book chapter is to serve as a teaching tool for junior scientists. This chapter summarizes the latest literature and the genes involved in S. aureus food poisoning and will serve as one part of an excellent teaching tool for food safety scientists.

Technical Abstract: There is a need, in addition to the peer-reviewed research publications, for a concise monograph that provides a thoughtful synthesis of the genome sequencing data of key etiologic agents for food borne disease, with a focus on the novel, interesting, and potentially useful aspects of the genome sequencing information; the new research tools and technological opportunities created by such information; and the new questions that are created, the new insights, and the frontiers of knowledge that are expanded, with the contribution of the genomic sequence information. This chapter outlines the genes contributing to food poisoning in the S. aureus genome, their location, organization and impact. A summary of the contributions of MRSA to this world-wide food safety problem are discussed.