Bacterial adhesins: determinants of microbial colonization and pathogenicity

Bacterial adhesins are a critical determinant of microbial colonization and are fundamental to disease pathogenesis. In this chapter, I have reviewed certain paradigms that exist with respect to structure, variation of expression, and biologic activity. No two adhesins are identical, reflecting the fact that each organism has a distinct ecological niche and is exposed to a different set of evolutionary pressures. Continued investigation is likely to identify additional paradigms and novel nuances. The hope is that we might use all this information to improve our approach to the treatment and prevention of bacterial disease.