Understanding bacterial pathogenicity: a closer look at the journey of harmful microbes

Abstract

Bacteria are the most prevalent form of microorganisms and are classified into two categories based on their mode of existence: intracellular and extracellular. While most bacteria are beneficial to human health, others are pathogenic and can cause mild to severe infections. These bacteria use various mechanisms to evade host immunity and cause diseases in humans. The susceptibility of a host to bacterial infection depends on the effectiveness of the immune system, overall health, and genetic factors. Malnutrition, chronic illnesses, and age-related vulnerabilities are the additional confounders to disease severity phenotypes. The impact of bacterial pathogens on public health includes the transmission of these pathogens from healthcare facilities, which contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. To identify the most significant threats to public health, it is crucial to understand the global burden of common bacterial pathogens and their pathogenicity. This knowledge is required to improve immunization rates, improve the effectiveness of vaccines, and consider the impact of antimicrobial resistance when assessing the situation. Many bacteria have developed antimicrobial resistance, which has significant implications for infectious diseases and favors the survival of resilient microorganisms. This review emphasizes the significance of understanding the bacterial pathogens that cause this health threat on a global scale.

Metagenomic and Culturomics Analysis of Microbial Communities within Surface Sediments and the Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in a Pristine River: The Zaqu River in the Lancang River Source Region, China

“…A prime illustration of this phenomenon was observed during the transformation of Vibrio cholerae from non-pathogenic to pathogenic variants, the process of which entails the acquisition of the type IV toxinco-regulated pilus (TCP) followed by infection with the filamentous phage CTXϕ, exploiting pilus as an entry point and introducing genes coding the production of cholera toxin. Current studies strongly indicate that specific distributed genes and gene combinations play crucial roles in determining which kinds of strains are most likely to act as pathogens [73][74][75]. The most prevalent pathogen genes included RpoB (belonging to Acinetobacter baumannii), followed by RSc0454 and speC (Ralstonia solanacearum), as well as CcoN2 and rmlA (Pseudomonas aeruginosa).…”

The Indispensable Role of Bacteria in Human Life and Environmental Health

“…Here, commensal bacteria modulate the immune system, helping it distinguish pathogens from harmless microorganisms, which prevents autoimmune diseases and infections. This interaction helps prevent autoimmune diseases and infections [15][16][17][18].…”

“…Many bacteria have developed drug resistance, which complicates the treatment of infectious diseases and promotes the survival of resistant strains. [17,18].…”

“…Thanks to bacteria, we get more nutrients from our food. Bacteria in the digestive system also provide us with essential vitamins such as biotin and vitamin K and are our main source of some of these nutrients [18]. Experiments conducted on guinea pigs have shown that animals raised in a sterile, bacteria-free environment are malnourished and die young.…”

“…Further research is needed to understand the complex interactions between bacteria and their hosts, as well as the impact of various environmental factors and lifestyle choices on the microbiome. Furthermore, the development of new microbiota manipulation techniques and tools, such as prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotic, can significantly improve public health [3,11,12,17,18,21,35]. − Advanced Therapeutic Applications: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) holds significant promise in treating a wide array of conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders like Clostridium difficile infection, metabolic syndromes, and even neurological disorders.…”