Ex vivo Model of Human Aortic Valve Bacterial Colonization

The interaction of pathogens with host tissues is a key step towards successful colonization and establishment of an infection. During bacteremia, pathogens can virtually reach all organs in the human body (e.g., heart, kidney, spleen) but host immunity, blood flow and tissue integrity generally prevents bacterial colonization. Yet, patients with cardiac conditions (e.g., congenital heart disease, atherosclerosis, calcific aortic stenosis, prosthetic valve recipients) are at a higher risk of bacterial infection. This protocol was adapted from an established ex vivo porcine heart adhesion model and takes advantage of the availability of heart tissues obtained from patients that underwent aortic valve replacement surgery. In this protocol, fresh tissues are used to assess the direct interaction of bacterial pathogens associated with cardiovascular infections, such as the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans, with human aortic valve tissues.