title: The interaction of bacterial pathogens with platelets.
abstract: In recent years, the frequency of serious cardiovascular infections such as endocarditis has increased, particularly in association with nosocomially acquired antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Growing evidence suggests a crucial role for the interaction of bacteria with human platelets in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular infections. Here, we review the nature of the interactions between platelets and bacteria, and the role of these interactions in the pathogenesis of endocarditis and other cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases, The Chancellor's Building, New Royal Infirmary, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: J Ross
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Dermot
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cox
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000502:physiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000502:physiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000502:physiology