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Related Concept Videos

Colonisation of Pathogens01:25

Colonisation of Pathogens

Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
Infection01:20

Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
Reservoir of Infection01:30

Reservoir of Infection

Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
Microbial Interactions: Parasitism01:22

Microbial Interactions: Parasitism

Parasitism is a form of microbial interaction in which parasitic microbes exploit a host organism for nutrients and shelter, often at the host's expense. Unlike mutualistic relationships, where both organisms benefit, parasitism benefits only the parasite and harms the host.Classification of ParasitesMicrobial parasites are broadly classified based on their location relative to the host.Ectoparasites remain on the host’s surface, such as the skin or outer tissues, drawing nutrients...
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Keystone Species01:39

Keystone Species

Measures of species biodiversity, such as richness (i.e., the number of species present) and evenness (i.e., their relative abundance), describe an ecological community’s structure. Many factors affect community structure, including abiotic factors (e.g., sunlight and nutrients), disturbances (e.g., fire or flood), species interactions (e.g., predation or competition), and chance events (e.g., foreign species invasion). Certain species—such as keystone species—also play a pivotal role in the...

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Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria
13:54

Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria

Published on: April 2, 2013

The keystone-pathogen hypothesis.

George Hajishengallis1, Richard P Darveau, Michael A Curtis

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. geoh@upenn.edu

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|September 4, 2012
PubMed
Summary

The keystone-pathogen hypothesis suggests specific microbes can cause inflammatory disease by altering the gut microbiota. This concept may lead to new diagnostics and treatments for dysbiosis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Human Health

Background:

  • The human microbiome plays a critical role in health and disease.
  • Mechanisms linking the microbiome to disease or protection are not well understood.
  • The keystone-pathogen hypothesis proposes specific pathogens can induce disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the literature supporting the keystone-pathogen hypothesis.
  • To explore its potential as a framework for understanding dysbiotic diseases.
  • To identify avenues for novel diagnostics and therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical assessment.
  • Analysis of existing studies on microbial pathogenesis and dysbiosis.
  • Conceptual synthesis of the keystone-pathogen hypothesis.

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A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness

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A Mouse Model for Pathogen-induced Chronic Inflammation at Local and Systemic Sites
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A Mouse Model for Pathogen-induced Chronic Inflammation at Local and Systemic Sites

Published on: August 8, 2014

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Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria
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Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria

Published on: April 2, 2013

A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness
12:21

A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness

Published on: September 28, 2022

A Mouse Model for Pathogen-induced Chronic Inflammation at Local and Systemic Sites
09:52

A Mouse Model for Pathogen-induced Chronic Inflammation at Local and Systemic Sites

Published on: August 8, 2014

Main Results:

  • The keystone-pathogen hypothesis offers a plausible explanation for certain inflammatory diseases.
  • Evidence suggests low-abundance pathogens can manipulate microbiota composition.
  • This manipulation can lead to a shift from a benign to a dysbiotic state.

Conclusions:

  • The keystone-pathogen hypothesis provides a novel conceptual framework for dysbiosis.
  • It highlights the potential for targeted interventions against specific microbial players.
  • Further research is warranted to validate and apply this hypothesis in clinical settings.