Moraxella catarrhalis coaggregates with Streptococcus pyogenes and modulates interactions of S. pyogenes with human epithelial cells.
The pathogens Streptococcus pyogenes and Moraxella catarrhalis colonize overlapping regions of the human nasopharynx. We have found that M. catarrhalis can dramatically increase S. pyogenes adherence to human epithelial cells and that species-specific coaggregation of these bacteria correlates with this enhanced adherence.
Lafontaine
Eric R
ER
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo 43614-5806, USA.
Wall
David
D
Vanlerberg
Serena L
SL
Donabedian
Haig
H
Sledjeski
Darren D
DD
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D045828:Moraxellaceae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology*