Virulence determinants in nonsporeforming anaerobic bacteria.
The literature dealing with adherence, host-protective mechanisms and tissues damaging products of nonsporeforming anaerobes is reviewed. The adherence mechanisms are poorly understood. There is evidence for that encapsulation plays a role in the pathogenicity of Bacteroides fragilis and black-pigmented bacteroides. A leukocidin is produced by Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Ig protease, collagenase and a trypsin-like enzyme by some Bacteroides species. Some Bacteroides fragilis strains produce an enterotoxin. The pathogenetic role of endotoxin is unclear.
Hofstad
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Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Gade Institute, University of Bergen, Norway.
D000818:Animals; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D014774:Virulence / Q000502:physiology
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases