A glance at the role of exotoxins in opportunistic bacterial infections.
The production and the mechanism of action of exotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are presented. The attack to the immune host's defenses is the main virulence factor of opportunistic bacteria in implant infections, favoring the invasion and colonization of compromised periprosthesis tissues.
Montanaro
L
L
Research Laboratory on Biocompatibility of Implant Materials, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna and Experimental Pathology Department, University of Bologna, Italy. lucio.montanaro@unibo.it
Campoccia
D
D
Arciola
C R
CR
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity
D005098:Exotoxins