Staphylococcus aureus is able to cause a wide range of diseases. Given the emergence of antibiotic resistance and the lack of vaccines, it is important to better understand S. aureus pathogenesis.
Accumulating evidence indicates that during S. aureus infection, the pathogen engages in an intracellular infection stage, which is important for disease progression. These infected phagocytes serve as reservoirs of disseminated infection and suggest the creation of a favourable intraphagocyte environment. However, the mechanism of S. aureus phagocyte parasitism is currently unknown.
Further details: Genetic determinants of staphylococcal infection