Binding of human serum high density lipoprotein to Staphylococcus capitis.

Of twelve different staphylococcal species tested, Staphylococcus capitis and Staphylococcus warneri bound human serum high density lipoprotein (HDL). The binding of HDL was observed with bacteria cultivated of brain-heart infusion broth agar, but not on nutrient broth agar. The factor mediating the binding of HDL seems to be a bacterial component and not a component of the growth medium. Studies on the binding of HDL to S. capitis showed that a subfraction of HDL was involved in the reaction. This subfraction constituted approximately 30% of the total purified serum HDL.