title: Localization-triggered bacterial pathogenesis.
abstract: Bacterial infections are becoming an increasing problem worldwide and there is a need for a deeper understanding of how bacteria turn pathogenic. Here, we suggest that one answer may be found by taking into account the localization of the bacteria, both at an anatomical level and at a microenvironment level. Both commensals and traditional pathogens alter their interaction with the human host depending on the local surroundings--turning either more or less virulent. These localization effects could derive from the characteristics of different anatomical sites but also from local differences within a microenvironment. In order to understand the adaptive functions of bacterial virulence factors, we need to study the bacteria in the environments where they have evolved.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lood
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kristofer Wollein
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Waldetoft
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Pontus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nordenfelt
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment / Q000502:physiology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D037521:Virulence Factors
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: commensal; evolution; immune system; opportunistic pathogen; pathogen; virulence