Thymidine-Dependent <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Small-Colony Variants: Human Pathogens That Are Relevant Not Only in Cases of Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease

Abstract

We report the isolation of thymidine-dependent small-colony variants (TD-SCVs) of Staphylococcus aureus from unusual infection sites of patients with chronic soft tissue infection, tympanitis, bronchitis, peritonitis, and septicemia. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the essential growth factor for TD-SCVs, i.e., thymidine, and its metabolite dTMP are present in various human specimens.