Clumping Factor A

	Clumping Factor A Clumping factor A, or ClfA, is a virulence factor from '' Staphylococcus aureus'' (''S. aureus'') that binds to fibrinogen. ClfA also has been shown to bind to complement regulator I protein. It is responsible for the clumping of blood plasma observed when adding ''S. aureus'' to human plasma. Clumping factor can be detected by the slide test. See also * Tefibazumab * Coagulase Coagulase is a protein enzyme produced by several microorganisms that enables the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. In the laboratory, it is used to distinguish between different types of ''Staphylococcus'' isolates. Importantly, '' S. aureus'' ... References Staphylococcaceae Bacterial proteins Virulence factors {{protein-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Virulence Factor Virulence factors (preferably known as pathogenicity factors or effectors in plant science) are cellular structures, molecules and regulatory systems that enable microbial pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa) to achieve the following: * colonization of a niche in the host (this includes movement towards and attachment to host cells) * immunoevasion, evasion of the host's immune response * immunosuppression, inhibition of the host's immune response (this includes leukocidin-mediated cell death) * entry into and exit out of cells (if the pathogen is an intracellular one) * obtain nutrition from the host Specific pathogens possess a wide array of virulence factors. Some are chromosomally encoded and intrinsic to the bacteria (e.g. capsules and endotoxin), whereas others are obtained from mobile genetic elements like plasmids and bacteriophages (e.g. some exotoxins). Virulence factors encoded on mobile genetic elements spread through horizontal gene transfer, and ca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Staphylococcus Aureus ''Staphylococcus aureus'' is a Gram-positive spherically shaped bacterium, a member of the Bacillota, and is a usual member of the microbiota of the body, frequently found in the upper respiratory tract and on the skin. It is often positive for catalase and nitrate reduction and is a facultative anaerobe that can grow without the need for oxygen. Although ''S. aureus'' usually acts as a commensal of the human microbiota, it can also become an opportunistic pathogen, being a common cause of skin infections including abscesses, respiratory infections such as sinusitis, and food poisoning. Pathogenic strains often promote infections by producing virulence factors such as potent protein toxins, and the expression of a cell-surface protein that binds and inactivates antibodies. ''S. aureus'' is one of the leading pathogens for deaths associated with antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, such as methicillin-resistant ''S. aureus'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Fibrinogen Fibrinogen (factor I) is a glycoprotein complex, produced in the liver, that circulates in the blood of all vertebrates. During tissue and vascular injury, it is converted enzymatically by thrombin to fibrin and then to a fibrin-based blood clot. Fibrin clots function primarily to occlude blood vessels to stop bleeding. Fibrin also binds and reduces the activity of thrombin. This activity, sometimes referred to as antithrombin I, limits clotting. Fibrin also mediates blood platelet and endothelial cell spreading, tissue fibroblast proliferation, capillary tube formation, and angiogenesis and thereby promotes revascularization and wound healing. Reduced and/or dysfunctional fibrinogens occur in various congenital and acquired human fibrinogen-related disorders. These disorders represent a group of rare conditions in which individuals may present with severe episodes of pathological bleeding and thrombosis; these conditions are treated by supplementing blood fibrinogen level ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Blood Plasma Blood plasma is a light amber-colored liquid component of blood in which blood cells are absent, but contains proteins and other constituents of whole blood in suspension. It makes up about 55% of the body's total blood volume. It is the intravascular part of extracellular fluid (all body fluid outside cells). It is mostly water (up to 95% by volume), and contains important dissolved proteins (6–8%; e.g., serum albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen), glucose, clotting factors, electrolytes (, , , , , etc.), hormones, carbon dioxide (plasma being the main medium for excretory product transportation), and oxygen. It plays a vital role in an intravascular osmotic effect that keeps electrolyte concentration balanced and protects the body from infection and other blood-related disorders. Blood plasma is separated from the blood by spinning a vessel of fresh blood containing an anticoagulant in a centrifuge until the blood cells fall to the bottom of the tube. The blood plasm ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Coagulase Coagulase is a protein enzyme produced by several microorganisms that enables the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. In the laboratory, it is used to distinguish between different types of ''Staphylococcus'' isolates. Importantly, '' S. aureus'' is generally coagulase-positive, meaning that a positive coagulase test would indicate the presence of ''S. aureus'' or any of the other 11 coagulase-positive ''Staphylococci''. A negative coagulase test would instead show the presence of coagulase-negative organisms such as '' S. epidermidis'' or '' S. saprophyticus''. However, it is now known that not all ''S. aureus'' are coagulase-positive. Whereas coagulase-positive ''Staphylococci'' are usually pathogenic, coagulase-negative ''Staphylococci'' are more often associated with opportunistic infection. It is also produced by '' Yersinia pestis''. Coagulase reacts with prothrombin in the blood. The resulting complex is called ''staphylothrombin'', which enables the enzyme to act as a pr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Tefibazumab Tefibazumab (named Aurexis but not approved) is a humanized monoclonal antibody for the treatment of severe infections with '' Staphylococcus aureus''. Possible indications include the treatment of ''S. aureus'' in a phase 2a patients with cystic fibrosis and of methicillin-resistant ''S. aureus''. It was developed by Inhibitex. See also * MSCRAMM MSCRAMM (acronym for "microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules") adhesin proteins mediate the initial attachment of bacteria to host tissue, providing a critical step to establish infection. Examples include protein A, cl ... (microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules) References Monoclonal antibodies Experimental drugs {{monoclonal-antibody-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Staphylococcaceae The Staphylococcaceae are a family of Gram-positive bacteria that includes the genus ''Staphylococcus'', noted for encompassing several medically significant pathogens. The five genera ''Jeotgalicoccus'', '' Macrococcus'', ''Nosocomiicoccus'', ''Salinicoccus'', and ''Staphylococcus'' have been shown to be monophyletic, while ''Gemella ''Gemella'' is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria that thrive best at high partial pressure of CO2. Description A Gemella species was first described as Neisseria hemolysans in 1938. It was reclassified as a new genus in 1960 when strains wer ...'' appears to be polyphyletic. The pathogen methicillin-resistant ''Staphylococcus aureus'' is a member of this family. References Bacillales Bacteria families {{Staphylococcaceae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Bacterial Proteins Bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria were among the first life forms to appear on Earth, and are present in most of its habitats. Bacteria inhabit soil, water, acidic hot springs, radioactive waste, and the deep biosphere of Earth's crust. Bacteria are vital in many stages of the nutrient cycle by recycling nutrients such as the fixation of nitrogen from the atmosphere. The nutrient cycle includes the decomposition of dead bodies; bacteria are responsible for the putrefaction stage in this process. In the biological communities surrounding hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, extremophile bacteria provide the nutrients needed to sustain life by converting dissolved compounds, such as hydrogen sulphide and methane, to energy. Bacteria also live in symbiotic and parasitic relationships ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]