Host fibrinogen drives antimicrobial function in Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis through bacterial-mediated prothrombin activation.

ABSTRACT: The blood-clotting protein fibrinogen has been implicated in host defense following Staphylococcus aureus infection, but precise mechanisms of host protection and pathogen clearance remain undefined. Peritonitis caused by staphylococci species is a complication for patients with cirrhosis, indwelling catheters, or undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Here, we sought to characterize possible mechanisms of fibrin(ogen)-mediated antimicrobial responses. Wild-type (WT) (Fib+) mice rapidly cleared S. aureus following intraperitoneal infection with elimination of ∼99% of an initial inoculum within 15 min. In contrast, fibrinogen-deficient (Fib-) mice failed to clear the microbe. The genotype-dependent disparity in early clearance resulted in a significant difference in host mortality wh

SUBMITTER: Prasad JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7817220 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature