Introduction:

S. aureus has emerged as a persistent threat, demonstrating a remarkable ability to develop resistance throughout the evolution of antibiotics. From the first confrontations with penicillin to the current challenges with strains resistant to vancomycin and daptomycin, the study of the resistance mechanisms of this pathogen has acquired critical importance.

Objectives:

To document changes in S. aureus resistance patterns over time and identify critical stages in the development of resistance to different antibiotics.

Materials and methods:

The reviewed articles were selected by identifying articles published between 2010 and 2023. Several relevant databases were used, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and SciELO. Observational studies, review articles, and clinical guidelines were included. Specific search strategies were developed for each database using keywords and search terms related to S. aureus and its antimicrobial resistance as well as the types of studies of interest. Relevant data were extracted from the selected studies, including information on resistance patterns, resistance mechanisms, clinical impact, and therapeutic strategies. The collected data were analyzed and synthesized to document changes in S. aureus resistance patterns over time and identify critical stages in the development of resistance to different antibiotics.

Results:

One hundred articles were included where a temporal evolution of resistance is evident, from the first strains resistant to penicillin to the current strains resistant to vancomycin and daptomycin. These studies provided a detailed analysis of the key molecular mechanisms driving antimicrobial resistance, such as beta-lactamase production, alterations in penicillin-binding proteins, and cell membrane modifications. The findings highlight a significant evolution in the ability of S. aureus to adapt to different antibiotics over time, underscoring the complexity and diversity of resistance mechanisms developed by this bacterium.

Conclusions:

The evolution of S. aureus resistance has followed a pattern marked by critical stages, from the appearance of penicillinase-producing strains after the introduction of penicillin to the emergence of MRSA with methicillin and of VISA and VRSA with vancomycin. These changes highlight the ability of S. aureus to adapt to new antibiotic pressures. The review highlights the urgent need to develop innovative and sustainable antimicrobial strategies to control this growing threat. Understanding resistance mechanisms is crucial to developing more effective and personalized approaches for the treatment of infections caused by this germ.

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