Bacterial adaptation and infection.
There is evidence that many pathogens co-evolve with their hosts. This is often reflected in species specific virulence factors that can selectively interfere with host defense mechanisms, innate and acquired as well as a range of interactions with host homeostatic pathways that contribute to the course and severity of an infection. In this review, we highlight a number of select examples of these interactions and suggest that understanding of molecular pathogenesis requires a broad systems approach that can evaluate the multiple and dynamics interactions that are occurring during infection.
Boyle
Michael D
MD
Department of Biology, Juniata College, 1700 Moore St, Huntingdon, PA 16652, USA. boyle@juniata.edu
Lottenberg
Richard
R
D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D012720:Severity of Illness Index