THE RELEVANCE OF MICROBIAL ADHESINS FOR T HE PATHOGENESIS OF HUMAN ENTERIC DISEASES AND FOR MEAT AND FOOD HYGIENE

Adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells usually is a pre-requisite for causative agents of foodborne infections to develop pathogenic effect iveness. Such adhesion is brought about by adhesins, primarily fimbria e or pili and by outer membrane proteins (OMP). Reference is made to p eculiarities of structures involved as well as to possible approaches to their detection and characterization. The presence of adhesins also is conducive to adhesion of microorganisms, including so-called food spoilage organisms, to inanimate and abiotic surfaces, say, in the for m of biofilms. Adhesin expression may be affected by various environme ntal factors, which may possibly provide ways for practically applicab le control of undesired microbial adhesion.