[Pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections of implanted plastics and intravascular catheters]

Coagulase-negative staphylococci are the predominant organisms causing infection of intravasal catheters and implanted plastic material. They are able to adhere to and grow on polymer surfaces. During the course of colonization they produce large amounts of an extracellular slime substance by which they are finally covered completely. It is supposed that this matrix of slime protects the embedded staphylococci against antibacterial substances and natural host defenses. The slime substance is not a true capsule but is loosely bound to the staphylococcal cells. It seems to have interesting biological properties such as an adhesin-like function and the ability to inhibit the lymphoproliferative response of mononuclear cells.