You are here: Home :: Area NEM :: Medical science :: Human medicine

Oonagh Shannon, Andreas Uektter, Jan-Ingmar Flock

Extracellular fibrinogen binding protein, Efb, from Staphylococcus aureus as an antiplatelet agent in vivo

Staphylococcus aureus produces and secretes a protein, extracellular fibrinogen binding protein (Efb), which contributes to virulence in wound infection. We have previously shown that Efb is a potent inhibitor of platelet function in vitro. We confirm here that this is also the case in vivo. Pre-treatment with Efb resulted in a significant prolongation of bleeding time in a mouse model. Furthermore, Efb was capable of rescuing animals from death caused by the administration of potent platelet agonists. This antiplatelet effect may explain the retardation of wound healing associated with Efb in S. aureus wound infections. These results are important not only in terms of understanding S. aureus pathogenesis, and consequently identifying new treatment strategies, but also with regard to the development of potential, novel antiplatelet agents for the prevention of thrombosis.

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Schattauer

Print ISSN: 0340-6245
Volume: 93, 05/2005
Pages: 927 - 931

Show full article (external site)

Show all available items of this journal

 

Area NEM