Salicylate induces reactive oxygen species and reduces UVC susceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Present study demonstrates that growth of Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of salicylate reduces ultraviolet C (UVC)-induced cell death and increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, compounds that scavenge ROS (N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase) reverse the increased UVC survival induced by growth in the presence of salicylate, while ROS donors (tert-butylhydroperoxide, H₂O₂, and NaClO) enhance survival of salicylate challenged cultures. Collectively these findings suggest that ROS production induced by growth in the presence of salicylate protects S. aureus from UVC-induced cell death.