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Characterising commensal and pathogenic staphylococcal interactions with neonatal and adult blood

The abundant skin commensal, Staphylococcus epidermidis, is the leading cause of late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants but rarely causes infections in term infants and adults. Staphylococcal virulence mechanisms and the role of the preterm immune responses in driving these life-threatening infections remain poorly understood.

Citation:
Joubert IA, Mullally C, Wang P, Chopra A, Strunk T, Currie A. Characterising commensal and pathogenic staphylococcal interactions with neonatal and adult blood. Sci Rep. 2026;16(1).

Keywords:
Neonatal sepsis; Dual RNA-sequencing; Host-pathogen interaction; Late-onset sepsis; Preterm infant; Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract:
The abundant skin commensal, Staphylococcus epidermidis, is the leading cause of late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants but rarely causes infections in term infants and adults. Staphylococcal virulence mechanisms and the role of the preterm immune responses in driving these life-threatening infections remain poorly understood.