REVIEW article
Front. Microbiol.
Sec. Infectious Agents and Disease
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1687243
Bacterial and Host Interactions in Staphylococcus aureus-induced Septic Arthritis: Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies
Provisionally accepted
- 1University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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Abstract: Septic arthritis is a severe and rapidly destructive joint infection, primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The interplay between bacterial virulence factors and host immune responses determines disease progression and clinical outcomes. This review discusses the major bacterial factors contributing to septic arthritis, including S. aureus cell wall components, surface proteins, and secreted toxins. In parallel, host-related factors, such as aging, immune responses, and genetic predispositions, are examined in conjunction with the impact of S. aureus infection on bone integrity and osteoimmunological mechanisms. Finally, this review highlights emerging therapeutic approaches, including targeted anti-virulence strategies, immune modulation, and anti-osteoclastogenic interventions, in mitigating joint damage. Understanding the multifaceted interactions between S. aureus and the host immune system is crucial for advancing treatment strategies and reducing morbidity associated with septic arthritis.
Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, septic arthritis, Virulence Factors, Immunity, osteoimmunology, antibiotic resistance, Bacteriophage therapy, Vaccines
Received: 19 Aug 2025; Accepted: 25 Sep 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Hu, Engdahl, Pullerits, Mohammad and Jin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Zhicheng Hu, zhicheng.hu@gu.se
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