Reconsideration of the role of fibronectin binding in endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
The adherence characteristics in vivo and virulence of two isogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus differing in fibronectin binding were compared in a rat model of catheter-induced infective endocarditis. No differences were found between the two strains. The results strongly point to the multifactorial nature of bacterial adherence to damaged heart valves and suggest that other binding functions can compensate for the lack of fibronectin binding in S. aureus.
Flock
J I
JI
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, and Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden. jifl@bimd01.hs.sll.se
Hienz
S A
SA
Heimdahl
A
A
Schennings
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000293:injuries / Q000382:microbiology; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000235:genetics; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000382:microbiology; D051381:Rats; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology
D005353:Fibronectins