Virulence Mechanisms of Pasteurella Multocida Infections
Summary
Pasteurella multocida is a versatile Gram-negative pathogen responsible for a spectrum of diseases across mammalian and avian hosts. Central to its pathogenicity is the production of a polysaccharide capsule that shields the bacterium from phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structures on the outer membrane exhibit serogroup-specific variability and can mimic host glycoconjugates to evade innate immune detection. Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) exerts potent cytotoxic effects by modifying host G-protein signalling, leading to tissue damage in multiple organ systems. Surface lipoproteins, including PmSLP variants, mediate adhesion to respiratory epithelia and stimulate protective antibody responses, highlighting their dual roles in colonisation and immunogenicity. Iron uptake systems and adhesins facilitate survival in the nutrient-limited host environment, while secretion apparatus such as the Type III secretion system deliver effector proteins that manipulate intracellular trafficking and inflammatory cascades. In some strains, downregulation of capsule synthesis permits biofilm formation, promoting chronic carriage. Collectively, these mechanisms underlie the rapid onset of haemorrhagic septicaemia in ungulates, respiratory disease complexes in cattle and pigs, and fowl cholera in poultry, with significant economic and welfare impacts globally.
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Virulence Mechanisms of Pasteurella Multocida Infections publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in virulence mechanisms of pasteurella multocida infections across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Capsule polysaccharide: A surface-associated polymer that inhibits phagocytosis and complement activation.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS): An outer-membrane glycolipid whose variable O-antigen mediates immune evasion and endotoxicity.
Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT): A secreted protein that modifies host G-protein signalling to induce cytopathic effects.
Type III secretion system (T3SS): A needle-like apparatus that injects bacterial effector proteins into host cells.
Surface lipoprotein (PmSLP): A family of membrane-anchored proteins involved in adhesion and elicitation of protective immunity.
References
- Reverse vaccinology-based identification of a novel surface lipoprotein that is an effective vaccine antigen against bovine infections caused by Pasteurella multocida. PLOS Pathogens (2023).
- Profiling Chromatin Accessibility Responses in Goat Bronchial Epithelial Cells Infected with Pasteurella multocida. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
- Revealing the lethal effects of Pasteurella multocida toxin on multiple organ systems. Frontiers in Microbiology (2024).
- Pathogenicity and Genomic Characteristics Analysis of Pasteurella multocida Serotype A Isolated from Argali Hybrid Sheep. Microorganisms (2024).
- The Myriad Properties of Pasteurella multocida Lipopolysaccharide. Toxins (2017).
- Capsular Polysaccharide Interferes with Biofilm Formation by Pasteurella multocida Serogroup A. mBio (2017).
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