Accumulation-Associated Protein Enhances Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm Formation under Dynamic Conditions and Is Required for Infection in a Rat Catheter Model

• DOI: 10.1128/iai.02177-14
• Publication Date: 2014-10-21T06:28:29Z
• Authors: Carolyn R. Schaeffer; Keith M. Woods; G. Matt Longo; Megan R. Kiedrowski; Alexandra E. Paharik; Henning Büttner; Martin Christner; Robert J. Boissy; Alexander R. Hors...; Holger Rohde; Paul D. Fey
• Keywords: Virulence factor

Biofilm formation is the primary virulence factor of Staphylococcus epidermidis. S. epidermidis biofilms preferentially form on abiotic surfaces and may contain multiple matrix components, including proteins such as accumulation-associated protein (Aap). Following proteolytic cleavage A domain, which has been shown to enhance binding host cells, B domain homotypic interactions support cell accumulation biofilm formation. To further define contribution Aap infection, we constructed an aap allelic replacement mutant icaADBC double mutant. When subjected fluid shear, strains deficient in production produced significantly less than Aap-positive strains. examine vivo relevance our findings, modified previously described rat jugular catheter model validated importance immunosuppression presence a foreign body establishment infection. The use mutants revealed significant decrease bacterial recovery from blood absence Aap, regardless polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), well-characterized, robust molecule. Complementation with full-length (containing domain), but not alone, increased initial attachment microtiter plates, did trans expression adhesion-deficient carnosus. These results demonstrate contributes part be due domain-mediated surfaces.