Vorland L H
Mikrobiologisk avdeling Regionsykehuset i Tromsø 9038 Tromsø.
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2001 Oct 30;121(26):3083-9.
Pathogenicity represents a form of specialization that enables certain microorganisms to replicate within specific animals and damage host cells. The outcome is as dependent on the host as it is upon the properties of the pathogen. The ability of the human body to prevent most of the bacteria it encounters from doing harm is the result of an evolutionary course that has produced a complex set of overlapping defenses. The non-specific defenses include antibacterial substances such as complement, phagocytic cells, and the washing action of fluids such as saliva and urine. The specific defenses are cells producing antibodies upon stimulation, and cytotoxic cells. The non-specific defenses are the host's only defenses in the critical early period when infection develops, thus it is not surprising that many of the characteristics allowing certain types of bacteria to cause infection are characteristics that allow them to evade the non-specific defenses of the body. They include factors that help the bacteria to adhere to and invade cells and tissues. Some bacteria are well equipped to evade the body's defense mechanisms, and some produce toxins that cause symptoms and disease. The production of virulence factors is finely tuned and regulated.
致病性是一种特殊化形式，使某些微生物能够在特定动物体内复制并损害宿主细胞。其结果既取决于宿主，也取决于病原体的特性。人体能够阻止大多数所接触细菌造成危害，这是一个进化过程的结果，该过程产生了一套复杂的、相互重叠的防御机制。非特异性防御包括抗菌物质，如补体、吞噬细胞，以及唾液和尿液等液体的冲洗作用。特异性防御是受刺激后产生抗体的细胞和细胞毒性细胞。在感染发展的关键早期，非特异性防御是宿主唯一的防御手段，因此，某些类型的细菌能够引起感染的许多特性正是使其能够逃避人体非特异性防御的特性，这并不奇怪。这些特性包括有助于细菌黏附并侵入细胞和组织的因子。一些细菌具备良好的逃避人体防御机制的能力，还有一些会产生导致症状和疾病的毒素。毒力因子的产生受到精细的调节。
