Contribution of the enterococcal surface protein Esp to pathogenesis of Enterococcus faecium endocarditis.

Abstract

The enterococcal surface protein Esp, specifically linked to nosocomial Enterococcus faecium, is involved in biofilm formation. To assess the role of Esp in endocarditis, a biofilm-associated infection, an Esp-expressing E. faecium strain (E1162) or its Esp-deficient mutant (E1162Δesp) were inoculated through a catheter into the left ventricle of rats. After 24 h, less E1162Δesp than E1162 were recovered from heart valve vegetations. In addition, anti-Esp antibodies were detected in Esp-positive E. faecium bacteremia and endocarditis patient sera. In conclusion, Esp contributes to colonization of E. faecium at the heart valves. Furthermore, systemic infection elicits an Esp-specific antibody response in humans.

• Authors: Esther Heikens, Kavindra V Singh, Karen D Jacques-Palaz, Miranda van Luit-Asbroek, Evelien A N Oostdijk, Marc J M Bonten, Barbara E Murray, Rob J L Willems
• Journal: Microbes and infection (Microbes Infect) Vol. 13 Issue 14-15 Pg. 1185-90 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 1769-714X [Electronic] France
• PMID: 21911077 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Institut Pasteur. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Bacterial Proteins
• Membrane Proteins
• enterococcal surface protein, esp

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies (immunology)
• Bacteremia (complications, immunology, microbiology, pathology)
• Bacterial Adhesion
• Bacterial Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Biofilms
• Blotting, Western
• Colony Count, Microbial
• Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
• Endocarditis (complications, immunology, microbiology, pathology)
• Endocardium (microbiology, pathology)
• Enterococcus faecium (genetics, immunology, pathogenicity)
• Gene Deletion
• Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections (complications, immunology, microbiology, pathology)
• Heart Valves (microbiology, pathology)
• Humans
• Male
• Membrane Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Rats