Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-126).Bacteroides fragilis is an opportunistic pathogen which can cause life threatening infections in humans and animals. The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance by the bacterium has prompted the search for novel therapeutic targets. The idea of antivirulence over antimicrobial drug development is becoming increasingly popular and invites detailed research into the virulence factors of target pathogens. The ability to adhere to, and degrade components of the extracellular matrix, such as collagen, is critical in bacterial colonisation and host cell invasion. The aim of this dissertation was to specifically identify the collagen type I adhesins and proteases in the common research strain, B. fragilis 638R, as well as in 23 clinical isolates from Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Cape Town
