Characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis polysaccharide intercellular adhesin/hemagglutinin in the pathogenesis of intravascular catheter-associated infection in a rat model

Biofilm production is thought to be a crucial factor in the ability of Stap hylococcus epidermidis to produce a biomaterial-based infection. A rat cent ral venous catheter (CVC)-associated infection model was used to assess the importance of biofilm production, mediated by polysaccharide intercellular adhesin/hemagglutinin (PIA/HA), in the pathogenesis of intravascular cathe ter-associated infection, PIA/HA-positive S. epidermidis 1457 was significa ntly more likely to cause a CVC-associated infection (71 versus 14%, P < 0. 03) resulting in bacteremia and metastatic disease than its isogenic PIA/HA -negative mutant. These results confirm the importance of biofilm productio n, mediated by PIA/HA in the pathogenesis of S. epidermidis experimental CV C-associated infection.