Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is characterized by thrombus formation on a cardiac
valve. The oral bacterium, Streptococcus oralis, is recognized for its ability to colonize
damaged heart valves and is frequently isolated from patients with IE. Platelet interaction
with S. oralis leads to the development of a thrombotic vegetation on heart valves, which
results in valvular incompetence and congestive heart failure. Objective To investigate the
mechanism through which platelets become activated upon binding S. oralis. Patients and …