Abstract:

Staphylococcus aureus and its methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) have become one of the central challenges in the global fight against antibiotic resistance due to their strong multidrug resistance and high pathogenicity. The resistance of S. aureus is mediated by multiple mechanisms, including aberrant expression of PBP2a encoded by the mecA/mecC genes, horizontal transfer of resistance determinants, biofilm formation, and the generation of persister cells. Given the limited efficacy of conventional antibiotics against resistant strains, developing novel strategies to combat S. aureus infections has become a key focus in both clinical and research fields. Nanotechnology-based antimicrobial therapies have demonstrated great potential in overcoming bacterial resistance through targeted delivery and multi-target bactericidal mechanisms. Antimicrobial peptides, with their broad-spectrum activity and low risk of resistance induction, have attracted increasing attention, while alternative approaches such as bacteriophage therapy, phage-derived lysins, and immunotherapy have also achieved significant progress. However, the clinical translation of these emerging strategies remains challenged by issues of toxicity, stability, and the potential risk of resistance dissemination. Future research should focus on optimizing drug delivery systems, enhancing targeting precision, and minimizing adverse effects, while further elucidating the dynamic mechanisms underlying resistance evolution, to promote the safe and effective clinical translation of anti-infective strategies and ultimately achieve effective control of S. aureus infections.

Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, drug resistance mechanisms, novel therapeutic strategies