
Before a microbial pathogen can take up residence in a host, it must be sure it has the right one; this is accomplished by an initial chemical conversation between molecules of the two parties concerned, and the result of that conversation largely determines whether or not we...

A very early step in microbial colonization and pathogenesis is that involving recog- nition of the host by the microbe. In the final analysis such recognition is due to interaction between specific molecules on the two sides, without which host and microbe would ignore each...