title: Contribution of the enterococcal surface protein Esp to pathogenesis of Enterococcus faecium endocarditis.
abstract: The enterococcal surface protein Esp, specifically linked to nosocomial Enterococcus faecium, is involved in biofilm formation. To assess the role of Esp in endocarditis, a biofilm-associated infection, an Esp-expressing E. faecium strain (E1162) or its Esp-deficient mutant (E1162Δesp) were inoculated through a catheter into the left ventricle of rats. After 24 h, less E1162Δesp than E1162 were recovered from heart valve vegetations. In addition, anti-Esp antibodies were detected in Esp-positive E. faecium bacteremia and endocarditis patient sera. In conclusion, Esp contributes to colonization of E. faecium at the heart valves. Furthermore, systemic infection elicits an Esp-specific antibody response in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. e.heikens@umcutrecht.nl
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heikens
authors.forename: Kavindra V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Karen D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Jacques-Palaz
authors.forename: Miranda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Luit-Asbroek
authors.forename: Evelien A N
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Oostdijk
authors.forename: Marc J M
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bonten
authors.forename: Barbara E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Rob J L
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Willems
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004699:Endocardium / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016984:Enterococcus faecium / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C116707:enterococcal surface protein, esp