Parasitology, Microbiology and Infection Control

Bacterial Pathogenesis

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The process of causing disease is termed as Pathogenesis. Pathogenicity is the capacity to initiate disease. Pathogenesis is a multi-factorial process which depends on the immune status of the host, the nature of the species or strain and the number of organisms in the initial exposure. A limited number of bacterial species are responsible for the majority of infectious diseases.

Bacterial pathogens can be classified into two broad groups, primary and opportunistic pathogens.

Primary pathogens are capable of establishing infection and causing disease in previously healthy individuals with intact immunological defenses. However, these bacteria may more readily cause disease in individuals with impaired defenses.

Opportunistic pathogens rarely cause disease in individuals’ with intact immunological and anatomical defenses. Bacteria able to cause disease only when such defenses are impaired or compromised.

Common pathogenic bacteria and the types of bacterial diseases they cause include:

• Escherichia coli and Salmonella cause food poisoning.
• Helicobacter pylori cause gastritis and ulcers.
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea.  
• Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis.
• Staphylococcus aureus causes a variety of infections in the body, including boils, cellulitis, abscesses, wound infections, toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia, and food poisoning.
• Streptococcal bacteria cause a variety of infections in the body, including pneumonia, meningitis, ear infections, and strep throat.

Bacterial diseases are contagious and can result in many serious or life-threatening complications, such as blood poisoning (bacteremia), kidney failure, and toxic shock syndrome.