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Invasion of Human Cells by a Bacterial Pathogen
Published on: March 21, 2011
Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. schleiferi expresses a fibronectin-binding protein
S J Peacock1, G Lina, J Etienne
1Department of Microbiology, Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland. sharon.peacock@ndp.ox.ac.uk
Infection and Immunity
|July 23, 1999
Summary
Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. schleiferi causes hospital infections through unknown mechanisms. This study found evidence of a fibronectin-binding protein contributing to its pathogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. schleiferi is a known cause of nosocomial infections.
- The specific pathogenic mechanisms of this bacterium remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular basis of Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. schleiferi pathogenicity.
- To identify potential virulence factors expressed by this bacterial species.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic analysis to assess bacterial characteristics.
- Genotypic analysis to identify relevant genes.
- Investigating the expression of cell wall-anchored proteins.
Main Results:
- Evidence for the expression of a cell wall-anchored protein was identified.
- This protein has fibronectin-binding capabilities.
- The findings provide insight into the pathogenic potential of Staphylococcus schleiferi.
Conclusions:
- Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. schleiferi expresses a fibronectin-binding protein.
- This protein is a likely contributor to the pathogenesis of nosocomial infections caused by this bacterium.
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