Author Question: Bacteria (Read 956 times)

Evvie72

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 519
on: Jan 26, 2014
List and describe three cellular features of bacteria that could be targeted to inhibit or kill a bacterial pathogen



Celeste

  • Hero Member
  • Posts: 588
Reply #1 on: Jan 27, 2014
Hello, thanks for joining.

Some bacteria employ strategies to avoid engulfment (ingestion) if phagocytes do make contact with them. Many important pathogenic bacteria bear on their surfaces substances that inhibit phagocytic adsorption or engulfment. Clearly it is the bacterial surface that matters. Resistance to phagocytic ingestion is usually due to a component of the bacterial cell surface (cell wall, or fimbriae, or a capsule). Classical examples of antiphagocytic substances on bacterial surfaces include:

1. Polysaccharide capsules of S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Treponema pallidum, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

2. M protein and fimbriae of Group A streptococci.

3. Surface slime (polysaccharide) produced as a biofilm by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

4. O polysaccharide associated with LPS of E. coli.

5. K antigen (acidic polysaccharides) of E. coli or the analogous Vi antigen of Salmonella typhi.

6. Cell-bound or soluble Protein A produced by Staphylococcus aureus. Protein A attaches to the Fc region of IgG and blocks the cytophilic (cell-binding) domain of the Ab. Thus, the ability of IgG to act as an opsonic factor is inhibited, and opsonin-mediated ingestion of the bacteria is blocked.

Hope that helps.

If not, feel free to visit: Most antibacterial drugs disrupt or destroy bacterial cellular characteristics t



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

The FDA recognizes 118 routes of administration.

Did you know?

There are major differences in the metabolism of morphine and the illegal drug heroin. Morphine mostly produces its CNS effects through m-receptors, and at k- and d-receptors. Heroin has a slight affinity for opiate receptors. Most of its actions are due to metabolism to active metabolites (6-acetylmorphine, morphine, and morphine-6-glucuronide).

Did you know?

After a vasectomy, it takes about 12 ejaculations to clear out sperm that were already beyond the blocked area.

Did you know?

According to the CDC, approximately 31.7% of the U.S. population has high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad cholesterol" levels.

Did you know?

There are more sensory neurons in the tongue than in any other part of the body.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library