Pathogenic Bacteria: Pathogenesis, Virulence Factors and Antibacterial Treatment Strategies

Pathogenic bacteria are a type of bacteria which can cause several diseases. Several species of bacteria are not harmful and are beneficial to humans but some can spread infectious diseases. Certain pathogenic bacteria are capable of causing diseases under some circumstances, including when they penetrate through the skin in a wound, through a weakened immune system, and by sexual activity. The virulence factors aid bacteria in invading the host, transmitting disease and circumventing host defenses. Endotoxins, adherence factors, siderophores, invasion factors, exotoxins and capsules are some of the virulence factors. Antibiotics can be used to treat bacterial infections. They are categorized as either bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal, depending on whether they only stop bacterial growth or kill the bacteria. Antibiotics come in a variety of forms and each class inhibits certain process that is unique to the pathogen compared to the host. This book contains some path-breaking studies on pathogenic bacteria. It contains a detailed explanation of the pathogenesis, virulence factors and antibacterial treatment strategies associated with pathogenic bacteria. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.