Author
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BROGDEN, KIM |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2003 Publication Date: 10/20/2003 Citation: BROGDEN, K.A. POLYMICROBIAL INFECTIONS IN ANIMALS AND HUMANS. CONFERENCE ON POLYMICROBIAL DISEASES. 2003. ABSTRACT. P. 11. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Polymicrobial diseases represent the clinical and pathological manifestations induced by the presence of multiple microorganisms. These are serious diseases whose etiologic agents are sometimes difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. They are often called complex infections, complicated infections, dual infections, mixed infections, secondary infections, co-infections, synergistic infections, concurrent infections, or polymicrobial infections. These diseases in animals and humans are induced by multiple viral infections, multiple bacterial infections, viral and bacterial infections, multiple mycotic and parasitic infections, and opportunistic infections secondary to microbe-induced immunosuppression. There are five common underlying mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. First, physical, physiologic, or metabolic abnormalities and stress predispose the host to polymicrobial disease. Second, one microorganism induces changes in the mucosa that favors the colonization of other microorganisms. Third, microorganisms or their products can trigger proinflammatory cytokines that increase the severity of disease, reactivate latent infections, or favor the colonization of other microorganisms. Fourth, microorganisms share determinants among each other allowing them the collective ability to damage tissue. Finally, one microorganism alters the immune system, which allows the colonization of the host by other microorganisms. Many areas of study in polymicrobial diseases are at their infancy and it is our hope that this Conference will stimulate interest and work in this evolving area. |
