The BAA antigen of Staphylococcus aureus was identified in a highly bacteremic MRSA strain that has enhanced in vitro binding to fibronectin and other extracellular matrix proteins compared with other endemic and related strains. BAA is a phage-encoded surface-expressed adhesin which binds fibronectin in vitro. It may be responsible for the enhanced catheter-related bacteremic phenotype of MRSA strains and is thus useful as a vaccine target to prevent MRSA bacteremia.
