ADHESION OF COAGULASE-NEGATIVE STAPHYLOCOCCI AND ADSORPTION OF PLASMA-PROTEINS TO HEPARINIZED POLYMER SURFACES

Protease treatment of cells of coagulase-negative staphylococci reduce d the adhesion of bacteria to heparinized polyethylene preadsorbed wit h serum. Fibronectin (Fn), fibrinogen (Fg), vitronectin, complement fa ctor C3c, plasminogen, laminin and to a low extent albumin were detect ed on tridodecylmethylammonium chloride (TDMAC)-heparinized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) catheters extirpated from the circulation of patients. Using a perfusion model we show that during the first hours of perfusi on with human plasma, Fn and Vn dominate, whereas after 22 h of perfus ion Fg is the dominant protein. Field emission scanning electron micro scopy and atomic force microscopy studies on TDMAC-heparinized cathete rs as well as on end-point attached heparinized PVC catheters indicate that quantitatively more Fg than Fn is exposed on these surfaces afte r prolonged exposure (> 22 h) to human plasma.