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The basis of persistent bacterial infections
Mikael Rhen1, Sofia Eriksson, Mark Clements
1Microbiology and Tumor Biology Center, Karolinska Institute, Nobels väg 16, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. mikael.rhen@mtc.ki.se
Trends in Microbiology
|February 25, 2003
Summary
Certain bacteria like Helicobacter pylori and Mycobacterium tuberculosis establish persistent infections by manipulating host defenses. These strategies, even in unrelated bacteria, suggest persistence is a distinct phase of pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pathogenesis
- Immunology
Background:
- Bacterial pathogens like Helicobacter pylori and Mycobacterium tuberculosis cause persistent infections despite host immune responses.
- These pathogens employ diverse strategies to overcome host defenses, often manipulating host cell responses.
- Infection site influences pathogen strategies, but common themes emerge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the strategies employed by bacterial pathogens to establish persistent infections.
- To explore similarities in persistence strategies among phylogenetically unrelated bacteria.
- To determine if persistent infection is a specific pathogenic phase.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of persistence strategies across different bacterial pathogens.
- Identification of homologous 'persistence' genes in unrelated bacteria.
- Examination of host cell response manipulation by pathogens.
Main Results:
- Pathogens deliberately manipulate host cell responses to establish persistent infections.
- Similar persistence strategies are observed in phylogenetically unrelated bacteria.
- Homologous 'persistence' genes can be identified in some cases.
Conclusions:
- Persistent bacterial infection is a deliberate strategy, not a random host-pathogen imbalance.
- Shared mechanisms suggest a conserved 'persistence' phase in infection pathogenesis.
- Understanding these strategies is crucial for developing new therapeutic interventions.