Molecular Pathogenesis of Infective Endocarditis

This chapter focuses on infective endocarditis, specifically on the formation of vegetations, adherence of bacterial cells to damaged heart valves and their entry into mammalian cells. Emphasis is placed on those organisms that are common causative pathogens of endocarditis, including Staphylococcus aureus, viridans group streptococci and Enterococcus faecalis. In addition, this chapter concentrates on specific adherence molecules and virulence factors that play a critical role in infective endocarditis and are most commonly associated with the organisms mentioned above. Candida species are also briefly discussed as the incidence of these infections, as well as research on them, has increased in recent years.