adhesin

adhesin

(ăd-hē′sĭn, -zĭn)

n.

Any of various substances present on the surfaces of bacterial cells that facilitate binding to the cells of a host and that are used as antigens in some vaccines.

Adhesin

Any of a number of bacterial virulence factors—e.g., pili in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, lipotechoic acid in group A streptococci—which jut from the surface of the bacteria and bind to glycoprotein or glycolipid receptors on host epithelial cells, facilitating bacterial adherence, a critical step in bacterial infections. Adhesins are useful targets for experimental vaccines, which reduce colonisation by uropathogenic E coli. Adhesins explains the pulmonary morbidity due to P aeruginosa seen in intubated ITU/ICU patients, and UTIs caused by E coli are mediated by MS and MR adhesins, which may be inhibited by fruit juices.

adhesin

a microbial surface component, for example FIMBRIA or PILUS, that mediates ADHESION of a microorganism to a cell or substratum. Adhesion to specific host RECEPTORS is often a preliminary stage in pathogenesis (see PATHOGEN). Adhesins are important VIRULENCE factors.