Possible Role of Bacterial Adherence and Bacterial Adhesions in Sepsis and Septic Shock

摘要

Bacterial adherence is often an important first step in infections like pyelonephritis and diarrhea where invading bacteria must compete with resident flora as well as resist physical removal. One of the mechanisms employed by bacteria to adhere to biological surfaces is the use of bacterial protein adhesions which possess a lectin-like activity. Most E. coli strains possess a common type of adhesion, type 1 pili, which allows them to adhere and colonize certain human and animal tissues via cell surface mannose residues. Upon addition of mannose or structurally related compounds to the binding assay, bacterial adherence is reduced. Slight agitation releases type 1 pili usually carry adherent endotoxin. Since pili retain their ability to attach to cells and can carry endotoxin, they may provide a novel mechanism for delivery of endotoxin to cells or may alter cellular function directly. The data suggest that bacterial adherence may play a role in the establishment of wound infections and that the bacterial adhesions may induce or elevate mediator levels involved in septic shock. Keywords: Bacterial infection; Reprints. (kt)