The cellular basis of bacterial infection

Innate and adaptive immune responses are responsible for the prevention of and recovery from bacterial infections. Fully immunocompetent humans make adaptations to the pathogens within their environment. Bacterial pathogens are capable of responding to immune adaptations to avoid destruction and elimination. Examination of the bacterial mechanisms of evasion has revealed the evolution of many elegant systems capable of thwarting host defenses. Undoubtedly, more mechanisms have yet to be discovered. A major concern as bacteria become more antibiotic resistant is whether human immune adaptation can evolve sufficiently to keep pace with bacterial evolution of evasion mechanisms.