HOST PATHOGEN

INTERACTION
Host-Microbe interactions are the collaborations
occurring between a pathogen and their host
The host-microbe interaction is defined as how
microbes or viruses sustain themselves within host
organisms.
On the molecular and cellular level, microbes can
infect the host and divide rapidly, causing disease by
being there and causing a homeostatic imbalance in
the body, or by secreting toxins or can affect normal
cell processes (transcription, translation, etc.),
protein folding, or evading the immune response.
Types of interactions
Depends on how the microbe interacts with the host, it can be
involved in one of three host-microbe interactions.
 Commensalism is when the microbe benefits while the host gains
nothing from the interaction. An example of this is Bacteriodes
thetaiotaomicron, which resides in the human intestinal tract but
provides no known benefits. 
Mutualism occurs when both the microbe and the host benefit from
the interaction, as seen in the human stomach. Many of the bacteria
aid in the breaking down of nutrients for the host, and in return, our
bodies act as their ecosystem. Some strains of E.Coli, Lacticacid
bacteria.
Parasitism occurs when the microparasite/macroparasite benefits
from the relationship while the host is harmed. This can be seen in the
unicellular Plasmodium falciparum parasite which causes malaria in
humans. Microparasite are commonly called as pathogens. Example
Clostridium Tetani, Corynebacterium Diptheria.
Types of pathogens
Pathogens include bacteria, fungi and viruses. Each of these
different types of organisms can then be further classified as a
pathogen based on its mode of transmission.
This includes the following: food borne, airborne,
waterborne, blood borne, and vector-borne. Many
pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus
and Clostridium botulinum are food borne pathogens that
secrete toxins into the host to cause symptoms. 
HIV and Hepatitis B are viral infections caused by blood
borne pathogens,
Aspergillis is the most common pathogenic fungi that
secretes aflatoxin which acts as a carcinogen and
contaminates many foods, especially those grown
underground (nuts, potatoes, etc.)
Pathogenic variability in hosts
Although pathogens do have the capability to cause
disease, they do not always do so. This is described as
context-dependent pathogenicity, this variability comes
from both genetic and environmental factors within the
host.
 One example of this in humans is E. coli. Normally, this
bacteria flourishes as a part of the normal, healthy
microbiota in the intestines. However, if it relocates to a
different region of the digestive tract or the body, it can
cause intense diarrhea. So while E. coli is classified as a
pathogen, it does not always act as such. This example can
also be applied to S. aureus and other common microbial
flora in humans.
Pathogenicity is the ability of a pathogen (microorganism) to
produce a disease by overcoming the defenses of the host.

Virulence is the degree of pathogenicity.

 Provides a quantitative measure of the pathogenicity or the likelihood of
causing disease.
Virulence Factor: Virulence factors refer to the properties
(i.e., gene products) that enable a microorganism to
establish itself on or within a host of a particular species
and enhance its potential to cause disease.
Bacterial virulence factors are typically proteins or
molecules synthesized by protein enzymes. Virulence
factors include bacterial toxins, cell surface proteins that
mediate bacterial attachment, cell surface carbohydrates
and proteins that protect a bacterium and hydrolytic
enzymes that may contribute to the pathogenicity of the
bacterium.
 Microbial mechanism of pathogenicity

Number of
invading
microbes

Penetration or Damage
Portals of entry evasion of to host Portal of exit
host defenses cells

Adherence
 Portal of entry
Portal of entry - The specific route by which a particular pathogen
gains access to the body
1. Skin
 Most microorganisms cannot penetrate intact skin.
 Enter hair follicles and sweat ducts.
 Certain fungi (dermatophytes) grow on skin and produce enzymes that break down
keratin.
2. Mucous membranes
 Respiratory tract (most common portal of entry)
 Microorganisms that are inhaled with droplets of moisture and dust particles gain access to the
respiratory tract .
 Gastrointestinal tract
 Microorganisms enter the gastrointestinal tract via food, water, and contaminated fingers.
 Genitourinary tract
 The conjunctiva
3. Parenteral route
 Microbes are deposited directly into the tissues beneath the skin or mucous membranes.
(bites, injections, and other wounds).

 The Preferred Portal of Entry - many microorganisms can cause infections only
when they gain access through their specific portal of entry.
 Pathogenicity – Adherence

Colonization - the first stage of microbial infection - the

establishment of the pathogen at the appropriate portal of entry.

Adherence (attachment) is often an essential step in bacterial

pathogenesis or infection, required for colonizing a new host.

Requires the participation of two factors: a receptor and an ligand

 Microbial adherence to a eukaryotic cell or tissue surface involves
complementary chemical interactions between the host cell or tissue surface
and the bacterial surface.
Adhesin: Adhesins are cell-surface components or
appendages of bacteria that facilitate adhesion or
adherence to other cells or to surfaces. Adhesion is
required for the colonization of a new host.
Pathogenicity - Adherence

Ligands or Adhesins : Surface molecules on

pathogen that bind specifically to host cell surface
molecules.
 The adhesins of bacterial cells are chemical components of capsules, cell walls
(lipopolysaccharide), glycocalyx, pili or fimbriae.
 Viral capsid, or components of the envelope.
Receptors : Surface molecules on host tissues to which pathogen adhesins
bind.
 The host receptors are usually glycoproteins located on the cell membrane or tissue
surface (mucous - the mucopolysaccharide layer of glycosaminoglycan covering animal
cell mucosal surfaces)
Interaction of ligand with host receptor can determine specificity for host
cells
 Inability to make attachment proteins or adhesins renders the microorganisms avirulent
 Ability to change or block the ligand or its receptor can prevent infection
 Pathogenicity - Adherence
 Biofilms - masses of microbes and their extracellular products
 attachment of free-floating microorganisms to
a surface using cell adhesion structures
 the first colonists facilitate the arrival of other cells
 during this colonization that the cells are able to
communicate via quorum sensing

Biofilms have been found to be involved in a wide variety of

microbial infections in the body, by one estimate 80% of all infections
 The development of a biofilm may allow for an aggregate cell colony (or colonies) to be
increasingly antibiotic resistant.