PMID: 7021088Jan 1, 1981Paper

Mechanisms of association of bacteria with mucosal surfaces

Ciba Foundation Symposium
R Freter

Abstract

Bacterial association with host mucosal surfaces involves a large number of steps. Successful negotiation of each of these requires -- or is at least facilitated by -- the development of a distinct set of characteristics (virulence factors) by the bacterium. The major steps include: (a) chemotactic attraction of motile bacteria to the surface of the mucus gel, (b) penetration of and trapping within the mucus gel (which may be passive or can be promoted actively by bacterial motility and chemotaxis), (c) adhesion to receptors in the mucus gel or to mucosa-associated layers of the indigenous microflora, (d) adhesion to epithelial cell surfaces, and (e) multiplication of the mucosa-associated bacteria. Each reaction is further modified -- or reversed entirely -- by substances such as taxins, inhibitors of adhesion, and substrates for bacterial growth that are present in the mucosal microenvironment. Association with the mucosa is often important for bacterial colonization but can also lead to more effective elimination of the bacterium by the host. Bacteria lacking one or several of these virulence factors may still be successful colonizers if they show exceptionally high competence in relation to others. Examples are the strong a...Continue Reading

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