Toward Anti-Adhesion Therapy for Microbial Diseases

The emergence of pathogens resistant to conventional antimicrobial agents has forced us to intensify the efforts in search for new approaches to prevent infectious diseases. Such a direction was indicated in studies over the last two decades showing that adhesion of pathogens, primarily via glycoconjugate or protein receptors of the host tissue, is crucial for the infectious process. Moreover, it was found that infection can be prevented by blocking adhesion of the pathogen to mucosal surfaces of the host. The various aspects of interference with the process of microbial adhesion as a way of preventing diseases were the subject of the Bat-Sheva Seminar, "Towards Anti-Adhesion Therapy of Microbial Infectious Diseases," held in Zichron Yaakov, Israel, February 25 to March I, 1996. A major aim of the Bat-Sheva de Rothschild Foundation for the Advancement of Science in Israel, which sponsors a series of seminars, ours among them, is to provide the necessary tools and settings for international forums and exposure of young scientists and promising students to the state of the art of the field. This goal has been achieved during the week's discussions, and its major aspects are presented in this compendium. The seminar's participants, as well as the readers of this book, thank the founder and Foundation for their support. This book includes the major themes of this rapidly growing area. However, by no means do we intend to cover every bit and piece in it. The book's first section deals with the lectin-sugar interactions and their inhibitors.

Inhalt

Lectinsugar Interactions: Carbohydratelectin Interactions in Infectious Disease; N. Sharon Antiadhesion and Diagnostic Strategies for Orointestinal Bacterial Pathogens; N. Strömberg, et al. Invasion and Inflammation as Consequences of Adhesion: Adhesion and Invasion of Escherichia coli Studies on Function and Regulation; T.A. Oelschlaeger, et al. Nonfimbrial Adhesins of Escherichia coli: J. Goldhar Adhesion to Cells, Tissues and Extracellular Matrix: Alternative Inhibitors of Mycoplasma Adherence; I. Kahane, et al. Studies on the Molecular Mechanisms of Meningococcal Interactions with Human Cells: Towards Antiadhesion Measures for the Control of Meningococcal Disease; M. Virji Hostderived and Dietary Inhibitors of Adhesion: AntiEscherichia coli Adhesin Activity of Cranberry and Blueberry Juices; I. Ofek, et al. Adhesin of Eukaryotic Pathogens: Inhibitors of Candida albicans Adhesion to Prevent Candidiasis; E. Segal Hydrophobicity and Adhesion of Oral Bacteria: Microbial Coaggregation in the Oral Cavity E. Weiss, et al. Hydrophobic Interactions as a Basis for Interfering with Microbial Adhesion; M. Rosenberg, et al. Abstracts of the Posters Presented in the Seminar. 21 additional articles. Index.