Cell envelope constituents and the multifaceted nature of Mycobacterium avium pathogenicity and drug resistance

Abstract

As our understanding of the mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) progresses, it is clear that the ability of this organism to survive and modulate immune responses in the host is related to the architecture of the cell envelope and the constituents contained therein. Because these constituents are among the initial factors contributing to host responsiveness, it is important to identify specific cell envelope components and characterize their ability to modulate immune responses in the infected host. In addition, it is apparent that cell envelope architecture is instrumental in confirming drug resistance, particularly after M. avium has been phagocytosed and multiplies intracellularly