Adherence events in the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis.
Infective endocarditis begins with adherence of microorganisms to cardiac tissues. These tissues have often been previously damaged, creating a thrombotic lesion consisting of platelets and fibrin. Circulating microorganisms localize to this lesion. The tissue specificity of endocarditis likely results from interactions between cell-surface determinants on the endocardium, platelet, and microorganism. Interference with these binding events may offer a means of modifying the course of the infection.
Johnson
C M
CM
Pediatric Critical Care Service, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D002450:Cell Communication; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections