title: Factors predisposing to bacterial invasion and infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bacterial infections remain important causes of morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. Our understanding of the effects of bacteria on the host, and also the defense mechanisms available to the host, is improving all the time. Modern tools in biochemistry, immunology, and molecular biology have provided powerful methods to further our understanding of the complex interactions that contribute to our host defense response. This review reflects current thinking regarding the factors that contribute to bacterial infection and host defense response.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review was compiled after an extensive review of the current and historical literature, and highlights a number of areas involved in the pathogenesis of bacterial infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bacteria can have a wide-ranging and deleterious effect on the host. Many different therapeutic approaches have been attempted to modulate the host response and limit the deleterious effects of bacteria. As our understanding of the underlying processes improves, these therapies should improve accordingly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heinzelmann
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016207:Cytokines