Role of biofilm in Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis ventricular assist device driveline infections.

Objective: Infections, especially those involving drivelines, are among the most serious complications that follow ventricular assist device implantation. Staphylococci are the most common causes of these infections. Once driveline infections are established, they can remain localized or progress as an ascending infection to cause metastatic seeding of other tissue sites.

A postinfluenza model of Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.

Background: Postinfluenza Staphylococcus aureus pneumonias are increasingly recognized as a major form of life-threatening infections.

Methods: A mouse model of postinfluenza S. aureus pneumonia was developed.

SdrF, a Staphylococcus epidermidis surface protein, contributes to the initiation of ventricular assist device driveline-related infections.

Staphylococcus epidermidis remains the predominant pathogen in prosthetic-device infections. Ventricular assist devices, a recently developed form of therapy for end-stage congestive heart failure, have had considerable success. However, infections, most often caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis, have limited their long-term use.

Vaccination with clumping factor A and fibronectin binding protein A to prevent Staphylococcus aureus infection of an aortic patch in mice.

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of ventricular assist device-related infections. This study evaluated the protective effect against S. aureus infection of active and passive immunization that targeted 3 proteins involved in bacterial attachment to a murine intra-aortic polyurethane patch.

SdrF, a Staphylococcus epidermidis surface protein, binds type I collagen.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is the leading cause of device-related infections. These infections require an initial colonization step in which S. epidermidis adheres to the implanted material.

Cellular coating of the left ventricular assist device textured polyurethane membrane reduces adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus.

Objective: Infections are among the most common and serious complications of ventricular assist device implantation. These infections generally occur within the first 2 months after surgery. The basis for this high incidence of infection is not well established, so a murine intravascular infection model was developed with aortic implantation of the textured polyurethane patch material currently used in HeartMate ventricular assist devices (Thoratec Corporation Pleasanton, Calif).

The role of Staphylococcus aureus adhesins in the pathogenesis of ventricular assist device-related infections.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are an important form of therapy for end-stage congestive heart failure. However, infection of the VAD, which is often caused by Staphylococcus aureus, poses a major threat to survival. Using a novel in vitro binding assay with VAD membranes and a heterologous lactococcal system of expression, we identify 3 S.