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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2011 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: Clin Perinatol. 2010 Sep;37(3):565–579. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2010.05.006

Figure 1. Mechanisms of Bacterial Translocation [BT] in the Small Intestine.

Figure 1

Multiple pathways, receptors and cells are involved in BT from the intestinal lumen. Toxins such as flagellin, endotoxins, exotoxins, and other bacterial products can disrupt tight junctions and facilitate paracellular translocation of bacteria between intestinal epithelial cells. Transcellular translocation of bacteria can occur via receptors including Intelectin [also lactoferrin receptor], type III secretory system, Toll-like receptors, LFA-1 [lectin] receptor, β1 integrin, and IgA displayed on M cells. Bacterial uptake through these cells can result in systemic dissemination of the microbe.