PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA ADHERENCE TO THE R ESPIRATORY MUCOSA

Pseudomonas aeruginosa adherence to the respiratory mucosa is the init ial event in the colonization of airways. This is the case for cystic fibrosis, for which P. aeruginosa colonization is the first cause of m ortality. The adherence mechanism involves host receptors which are pr esent in the respiratory mucosa, as well as bacterial adhesins. We wil l describe the different cellular and molecular receptors for P. aerug inosa adherence in the respiratory mucosa (mucins, glycolipids, transm embrane glycoproteins, components of the basement membrane) as well as the corresponding bacterial adhesins (pilus, flagellum, outer membran e proteins, lipopolysaccharide). Updated specificity of these host rec eptors in cystic fibrosis disease will be described.