ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the role of fimbriae in bacterial-mucosal surface interactions as they apply to enteric disease in the small intestine and in colonization of the large intestine. Moreover, rather than focusing exclusively on fimbrial interaction with epithelial cells, a subject which has been reviewed extensively, in addition, focuses on fimbrial interactions with the intestinal mucus layer and the possible role of such interactions in allowing, enhancing, and/or preventing bacterial colonization of mucosal surfaces. The peristaltic action of the small intestine propels luminal contents at a sufficient rate to pose a major problem to a bacterial enteropathogen. The genes responsible for synthesis of K88 fimbriae are contained in the K88 plasmid. E. coli strains bearing 987P fimbriae also cause neonatal diarrhea in pigs. E. coli strains bearing K99 fimbriae (K99+) cause neonatal diarrhea in lambs, calves, and pigs. In the majority of cases, Yersinia enterocolitica cause a mild, but sometimes bloody, diarrhea in humans.
