Heterogenous S. aureus cell types isolated from clinical samples taken from complications in patients with diabetes

Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are a prevalent complication for patients with diabetes which can often progress to osteomyelitis (DFI-OM). Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen in DFIs and DFI-OM and these infections can relapse in 40-70% of cases despite initial clearance of the infection. For S. aureus, relapse can be attributed to selection of alternative lifestyles with changes in cell physiology and phenotype. This study aims to identify the genetic profiles associated with alternate S. aureus cell types and persistent infection in DFI.