S. aureus is a human pathogen responsible for life-threatening infections as it is able to attach to surfaces, form biofilms, and persist inside the host. It causes mild skin infections and even serious and life-threatening infections, such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
Pls is a virulence factor that reduces the adherence of S. aureus to Fg, Fn, or endothelial cells, internalization by human host cells and phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) independently of its glycosylation status.
Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), University of Münster, Münster, Germany