Model for the establishment of longer-term respiratory tract colonization by GAS.
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Abstract
<p>Following adhesion of bacterial cells to epithelium, and initial transient colonization, there is depletion of bacterial numbers due to host immune responses. These include innate factors, such as anti-microbial peptides and agglutinins, neutrophils and macrophages. A small number of bacterial cells successfully evade these responses, perhaps associated with up-regulation of AspA or transient internalization by epithelial cells. Expression of AspA brings into play the anti-phagocytic properties and biofilm-enhancing activities of AspA, leading to prolonged colonization of the mucosa. Asterisks denote temporal role for AspA.</p