Adherence
S. aureus expresses certain surface proteins that are necessary for binding throughout the body. These surface proteins typically promote attachment to laminin and fibronectin. Most strains also express a clumping factor, coagulase, that promotes attachment to blood clots and traumatized tissue. Fibronectin and fibrinogen-binding proteins are also produced by S. aureus as virulence factors. Mutations of these proteins that have been studied drastically decrease the bacteria's virulence. Adhesins that bind to collagen are significant in infections that cause osteomyelitis. Once the bacteria have adhered, they can secrete a biofilm that make them difficult to eradicate [8].