Bacterial

Pathogenesis

Bacterial Pathogenesis OUT

COMES
By the end of the sessions, learners will be able

to:

Define infection, specify the stages of

the infectious process

Explain microbial virulence

Differences between endo and exotxins.

Important Definitions
Infection:
A process by which the organism enters into a relationship
with the host.

Disease:
A process by which the organism enters into a relationship
with the host with occurrence of pathological changes and
appearance of clinical manifestations.

N.B.: Not all infections will proceed to be diseases

but all diseases are infections.

Stages of the Infectious Process

1. Source of infection
2. Mode of transmission
3. Portal of entry
4. Portal of exit

MICROBIAL VIRULENCE
Pathogenicity:
The ability of a bacterial species to produce disease.

Virulence:
is the degree of pathogenicity.

N.B.:
1- Virulence is genetically determined by genes
carried on chromosomes, plasmids, phages and
pathogenicity islands.
2- Microbial attenuation is the reduction of virulence
by several means for the purpose of vaccine
preparation.

Virulence Factors of Bacteria

Structures or products that enable the organism to
cause disease.
Virulence Factors may be:
1. Adherence factors.
2. Invasion factors:

Enzymes.
Antiphagocytic factors.

3. Toxin production:

Exotoxins.
Endotoxins.

1- Adherence Factors
Enable the bacteria to attach to the host surface.
Examples:

* Fimberiae of N.gonorrhoeae, E.coli help

the attachment to the urinary tract.
* Glycocalyx of Staph and Streptococci
adhere the organism strongly to heart valves.

2- Invasion Factors
A- Enzymes:
* Leukocidin which destroy PMNL &
macrophages.
* IgA protease which degrades IgA.

B- Antiphagocytic factors:
* Capsule (e.g. Strept. Pneumoniae)
* Cell wall proteins of Gm+ve cocci.
* Coagulase enzyme of Staphylococci.

3- Toxin production:
Bacterial toxins are either exotoxins or
endotoxins

Comparison between Exotoxin and Endotoxin

Source

Examples

Exotoxins

Endotoxins

Secreted by living
organisms both Grampositive
(mainly) and Gramnegative

Part of the cell wall

of Gram-negative
organisms.
Liberated upon cell

C. diphtheriae

E. coli endotoxin

Coding genes Chromosome, PAI,

Plasmids or

disintegration

Chromosome

Bacteriophages

Antigenicity

Highly antigenic

Poorly antigenic

Nature

Protein

LPS (lipid A)

Exotoxins

Endotoxins

Heat stability
Detoxification

Unstable

Stable

Can be converted
into toxoid

Specificity

Every toxin has

specific action

Can not be
converted into
toxoid
Non-specific in
action (all give
fever and shock)

Toxicity

High

Low

Toxoid: detoxified toxin obtained by treatment of

exotoxin with formalin to remove its toxicity and retain
its antigenicity. It can be used for immunization.

Dr.Azza Abdulazim

Thanks