What role does phenotypic variation of Staphylococcus epidermidis play in infection of transvenous endocardial pacemaker electrodes? 
According to Baddour et al. (1990), phenotypic variation of Staphylococcus epidermidis plays a role in the infection of transvenous endocardial pacemaker electrodes. The study found that the phenotypic variation of S. epidermidis was associated with increased colonization of the transvenous pacemaker electrodes, suggesting that phenotypic variation increases the ability of the bacteria to attach to and colonize the device. Furthermore, the study showed that the phenotypic variation had an effect on the severity of the infection, with higher levels of variation resulting in more severe infection. These findings suggest that phenotypic variation of S. epidermidis is an important factor in the development of pacemaker-related infections. 