Surface properties of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from caprine mastitis.

A total of 53 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from caprine mastitis were tested for surface hydrophobicity, surface Protein A (SpA), and binding capacity of fibronectin, fibrinogen and type II collagen. Strong positive correlation was found between surface hydrophobicity and SpA, and between surface hydrophobicity and 125I-fibronectin-binding. Regardless of hydrophobicity, the binding of fibrinogen was moderate and type II collagen binding was low. The results indicate that SpA and fibronectin-binding protein contribute to the high relative surface hydrophobicity of S. aureus associated with caprine mastitis.