Normal flora as a source of opportunistic pathogens
(S. epidermidis, S. mutans, P. aeruginosa, Candida albicans)
The Role of Quorum Sensing in Pathogenicity
The “biofilm phenotype”, does it exist
Attachment Type IV pili, flagellae
Matrix – Alginate
Virulence factors
Scheduled dispersal
The Transition from Commensal organism to Biofilm related pathogen.
Swarming behavior – While the precise advantages to these bacteria of being “on the go” via swarming motility are uncertain, this group behavior likely plays a role in disseminating this microorganism (P.a.) and affecting its ability to acquire nutrients. George O’Toole Microbe 3: 2008 p 65-71.
LuxI and LuxR homologs as targets for antimicrobics
Greenberg in Quorum Sensing in Gram Negative Bacteria, 1997. ASM News 63:
371-377. Kjelleberg et al. Furanone story.
Cheating among P. a. strains in CF patients
QS negative mutants are common.