Quorum signaling and sensing by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae.
Quorum signals are diffusible factors produced by bacteria that coordinate communal responses. For nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), a series of recent papers indicate that production and sensing of quorum signals are determinants of biofilm formation/maturation and persistence in vivo. In this mini-review I will summarize the current knowledge about quorum signaling/sensing by this organism, and identify specific topics for additional study.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest University Health Sciences Winston-Salem, NC, USA. wswords@wakehealth.edu
W Edward
WE
Swords
D000818:Animals; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology; D053038:Quorum Sensing; D015398:Signal Transduction