Bacterial invasion strategies

Pathogenic bacteria have developed different strategies to circumvent host defense mechanisms.

A number of pathogens attach to the uroepithelium by fimbriae to avoid washout during micturition. Some produce endotoxins decreasing urethral peristalsis in order to faciliate adhesion to the mucosa (O-antigens). Others produce substances like K-antigens, which interfere with opsonisation and phagocytosis, or they suppress the resident flora with bacteriocins, hemolysins and Fe-chelators (18).

PDF Version (Size: 924 KB)

© 2001 Bayer AG