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Collagen binding in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus
D Holderbaum1, T Spech, L A Ehrhart
1Department of Brain and Vascular Research, Cleveland Clinic Research Institute, Ohio 44106.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|December 1, 1987
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus strains from complicated bacteremia cases were more likely to bind collagen. This collagen-binding ability in Staphylococcus aureus appears to be a stable, clonally inherited trait.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant human pathogen.
- Bacterial surface proteins mediate host-pathogen interactions.
- Collagen is a major component of the extracellular matrix.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of collagen binding in Staphylococcus aureus.
- To determine if collagen binding correlates with other adhesion properties.
- To assess the association of collagen binding with clinical outcomes in bacteremia.
Main Methods:
- Ninety strains of Staphylococcus aureus from patient samples were tested for collagen binding.
- Binding assays for immunoglobulin G and fibronectin were performed.
- Clinical data, including complicated versus uncomplicated bacteremia, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 39 of 90 (approximately 43%) Staphylococcus aureus strains exhibited collagen binding.
- Collagen binding did not correlate with immunoglobulin G or fibronectin binding.
- Strains from complicated bacteremia were significantly more likely to bind collagen than those from uncomplicated bacteremia.
- Collagen binding was a stable characteristic within individual patient isolates, suggesting clonal origin.
- Collagen binding could not be induced experimentally.
Conclusions:
- Collagen binding is a common trait in some Staphylococcus aureus strains.
- Collagen-binding ability is associated with more severe clinical presentations of bacteremia.
- This characteristic is likely a stable, clonally determined feature of Staphylococcus aureus, potentially contributing to virulence in deep tissue infections.