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. 1998 Oct-Dec;4(4):551–560. doi: 10.3201/eid0404.980405

Cell-to-cell signaling and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

C Van Delden 1, B H Iglewski 1
PMCID: PMC2640238  PMID: 9866731

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium responsible for severe nosocomial infections, life-threatening infections in immunocompromised persons, and chronic infections in cystic fibrosis patients. The bacterium's virulence depends on a large number of cell-associated and extracellular factors. Cell-to-cell signaling systems control the expression and allow a coordinated, cell-density-dependent production of many extracellular virulence factors. We discuss the possible role of cell-to-cell signaling in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa infections and present a rationale for targeting cell-to-cell signaling systems in the development of new therapeutic approaches.

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Selected References

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