Rheumatic fever–associated Streptococcus pyogenes isolates aggregate collagen
J. Clin. Invest. Katrin Dinkla, et al. 111:1905 doi:10.1172/JCI17247 [Go to this article.]

Figure 5
S. pyogenes colonizes collagen in vitro and in vivo. FESEM analysis shows S. pyogenes colonizing collagen type I bundles (a) and fibers (b) in vitro. For in vivo localization, mice were infected subcutaneously with M3, M18, and M1 S. pyogenes. Infected skin was analyzed by FESEM analysis, showing S. pyogenes aggregated on and attached to collagen fibers (c and d). Analysis of skin sections by transmission electron microscopy shows intimate in vivo binding of streptococci to collagen. Serotypes shown are M3 (a, b, and h), M18 (c and g), and M1 (d–f). Bars, 10 μm (a), 2 μm (b), 2.5 μm (c), and 0.5 μm (d–h).