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Journal of Medical Microbiology logo Journal of Medical Microbiology

Volume 43, Issue 6

Potential pathogenic properties of members of the “” group in relation to the production of endocarditis and abscesses No Access

Abstract

Summary

The “” (SMG) group have been shown to possess factors that may be involved in pathogenesis. All SMG strains are able to bind fibronectin a cell-surface protein; the binding ranged from 12 to 198 mol/cell. Strains also bound to platelet-fibrin or fibrin clots and fibrinogen, giving maximum adhesion values of 16.5%, 21.8% and 151 mol/cell respectively. Members of the species produced thrombin-like activity. Lancefield group C SMG aggregated rat platelets, a bacterial cell-surface protein acting as mediator in the reaction. Most of the in-vitro factors did not correlate with each other, an indication that SMG strains possess a wide variety of pathogenic properties that may be involved in the production of abscesses or endocarditis. However, there was a correlation between the binding of large amounts of fibrinogen (> 100 mol/cell) and the ability to aggregate platelets. This suggests that fibrinogen binding may aid in platelet aggregation.

  • Received:
  • Accepted:
  • Published Online:
© J. MED. MICROBIOL. 1995
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1995-12-01
2025-04-27
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/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-43-6-405
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Potential pathogenic properties of members of the “Streptococcus milleri” group in relation to the production of endocarditis and abscesses
J. Med. Microbiol. 43, 405 (1995); https://doi.org/10.1099/00222615-43-6-405
/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-43-6-405
/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-43-6-405
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