Figure 5.

Cnm mediates binding to the collagenous fibrils of damaged and apparently undamaged infected human valve sections. SEM analysis of valve sections incubated with bacterial monocultures showed Cnm⁺ L. lactis binding to bundles of collagenous fibrils on the rough edges of the valves whereas no Cnm⁻ L. lactis were found attached to this area (A). Cnm⁺ L. lactis could also adhere to tissue areas where no apparent damage was observed in contrast with their Cnm⁻ counterparts (B).