Increased in vitro phenol-soluble modulin production is associated with soft tissue infection source in clinical isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus

Production of PSMα1-4 is highest in SSTI MSSA isolates, supporting the hypothesis that these peptides are important for SSTI pathogenesis. These findings are similar to those described in MRSA, and demonstrate that associations between PSM levels and type of infection are independent of the methicillin-resistance status of the isolate.