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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/227443
- Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: pathogenesis and prevention
- Foxwell, A. Ruth; Kyd, Jennelle M.; Cripps, Allan W.
- In this paper, we describe the ability of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) to coexist with the human host and the devastating results associated with distruption of the delicate state of balanced pathogenesis, resulting in both acute and chronic respiratory tract infections. It has been seen that the strains of NTHi causing disease show a marked genetic and phenotyphic diversity but that changes in the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) and protein size and antigenicity in chronically infected individuals indicate that individual strains of NTHi can remain and adapt themselves to avoid expulsion from their infective niche. The lack of reliance of NTHi on a single mechanism of attachment and its ability to interact with the host with rapid responses to its environment confirmed the success of this organism as both a colonizer and a pathogen. In vitro experiments on cell and organ cultures, combined with otitis media and pulmonary models in chinchillas, rats, and mice, have allowed investigations into individual interactions between NTHi and the mammalian host. The host-organism interactions appears to be a two-way process, with NTHi using cell surface structures to directly interact with the mammalian host in order to pave the way for colonization and invasion. Many experiments have also noted that immune system evasion through antigenic variation, secretion of enzymes and epithelial cell invasion allowed NTHi to survive for longer periods despite a specific immune response being mounted to infection. Several outer membrane proteins and LOS derivatives are discussed in relation to their efficacy in preventing pulmonary infections and otitis media in animals. General host responses with respect to age, genetic makeup, and vaccine delivery routes are considered, and a mucosal vaccine strategy is suggested.
- Publication type
- Journal article
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, Vol. 62, no. 2 (Jun 1998), pp. 294-308
- Publication year
- FOR Code(s)
- 06 Biological Sciences; 10 Technology; 11 Medical and Health Sciences
- Bacterial adhesion; bacterial colonisation; Cell invasion; Chinchilla; Disease classification; Disease models; Genetic susceptibility; haemophilus influenzae; Host resistance; Immunoglobulins; Infection prevention; Lipopolysaccharides; Lower respiratory tract infections; Negibacteria; Otitis media; Outer membrane proteins; Phenotype; Proteinase; Vaccines
- American Society for Microbiology
- Publisher URL
- Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology.
- Peer reviewed