Most commensal and pathogenic bacteria interacting with eukaryotic hosts express
adhesive molecules on their surfaces that promote interaction with host cell receptors or with …

Meninges that surround the CNS consist of an outer fibrous sheet of dura mater
(pachymeninx) that is also the inner periosteum of the skull. Underlying the dura are the …

Bacteria secrete proteins for different purposes such as communication, virulence functions,
adhesion to surfaces, nutrient acquisition, or growth inhibition of competing bacteria. For …

Although renowned as a lethal pathogen, Neisseria meningitidis has adapted to be a
commensal of the human nasopharynx. It shares extensive genetic and antigenic similarities …

Bacterial colonization of biotic or abiotic surfaces results from two quite distinct physiological
processes, namely bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Broadly speaking, a biofilm is …

Highlights•Pili minor components play a key role in the regulation of pili mediated
activities.•Adhesion is a multifactorial effect; adhesins may function in an orchestrated …

Neisseria species are extremely well-adapted to their mammalian hosts and they display
unique phenotypes that account for their ability to thrive within niche-specific conditions. The …

Acinetobacter baumannii has recently emerged as a highly troublesome nosocomial
pathogen, especially in patients in intensive care units and in those undergoing mechanical …

During infection Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) encounters multiple environments within the
host, which makes rapid adaptation a crucial factor for meningococcal survival. Despite the …

The ability of Escherichia coli to colonize both intestinal and extraintestinal sites is driven by
the presence of specific virulence factors, among which are the autotransporter (AT) …