Interactions between bacteria and the surface of the small intestine

Abstract

Many bacterial species are closely associated with epithelial surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract. The physicochemical interactions between bacteria and the intestinal surface are complex and include both stereospecific and chemotactic effects. Such mechanisms of interaction and attachment of bacteria to the gut have received considerable attention over the last decade as they have been recognised as an important initial event in colonisation and the pathogenesis of enteric infections. Many disease-causing bacteria possess surface fimbriae or fibrillae with lectin-like adhesins which interact with peptides or carbohydrates present on surface glycosphingolipids and/or glycoproteins. Research on the structural features of fimbrial receptors and on their expression on the surfaces of the mammalian intestine has led to new ideas for nutritional therapy and/or prophylaxis based on the prevention of adherence of pathogenic bacteria.