Collagen binding of Staphylococcus aureus is a virulence factor in experimental endocarditis.
The role of Staphylococcus aureus collagen binding in the development of experimental endocarditis was studied. Two isogenic strains of S. aureus, 1 carrying an insertional inactivation of the gene encoding collagen-binding protein, were compared in a rat model of catheter-induced infective endocarditis (i.e.). Separate groups of rats with traumatized aortic valves were intravenously challenged with 1 of the strains. In rats sacrificed 24 h after inoculation, the collagen-binding strain significantly outnumbered the mutant strain (P < .001); however, 1 h after challenge, there was no difference in numbers of the 2 strains. The results were substantiated, using a 1:1 mixture of the parent strain and the mutant as an inoculate. Our findings suggest that collagen binding of S. aureus is important in the sustenance of experimental IE and plays a limited role during the initial attachment of the microorganism to traumatized aortic valves.
Hienz
S A
SA
Department of Immunology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Schennings
T
T
Heimdahl
A
A
Flock
J I
JI
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D038981:Receptors, Collagen; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013997:Time Factors
D005353:Fibronectins; D016023:Integrins; D038981:Receptors, Collagen; D005340:Fibrinogen; D003094:Collagen