BACTERIAL-INFECTIONS OF THE SMALL-INTESTINE AND COLON

Recent research into the pathogenesis of bacterial infections of the i ntestinal tract has revealed tantalizing new information on the origin s of bacterial virulence. The strategies employed by different bacteri al species to colonize or invade the intestinal epithelium and cause d iarrhea may follow broadly similar patterns but differ in detail. Know ledge of bacterial virulence mechanisms is being exploited to develop novel rationally attenuated vaccines and treatment modalities, which, although still at an early stage of development, offer the promise of improved control of enteric infections in the future.