6. Bacterial pathogenesis
Sebastian G. B. Amyes
Abstract
‘Bacterial pathogenesis’ focuses on bacterial pathogenesis. The successful invading pathogenic bacteria have to establish themselves at the optimum site for nutrition and subsequent release from their host. They are equipped with molecules, known as virulence factors, which allow them to achieve this and they broadly fall into four groups: adhesins, aggressins, impedins, and invasins. The triggering of acrophages stimulates immune responses. The symptoms associated with bacterial infection result from the toxins bacteria excrete, differentiating between endotoxins and exotoxins. It is also worth looking at plasmids, the bacterial chromosome, pathogenicity islands, flesh-eating bacteria, vector-borne diseases, tooth decay and gum disease, and pandemics.