Shear-Resistant Binding to von Willebrand Factor Allows<i>Staphylococcus lugdunensis</i>to Adhere to the Cardiac Valves and Initiate Endocarditis

Abstract

S. lugdunensis binds directly to VWF, which proved to be vital for withstanding shear forces and for its adhesion to the vessel wall and cardiac valves. This mechanism explains why S. lugdunensis causes more-aggressive infections, including endocarditis, compared with other coagulase-negative staphylococci.