Adhesins during infection

Adhesion is one of the earliest steps during bacterial colonization, and is a driving factor of bacterial infections. In this article, we aim to structure potential sites of bacterial colonization within the human host, and discuss the cell types, host receptors and physiological features of these sites. We discuss a number of bacterial adhesins and the structural and mechanistic details of their interactions with host receptors. In doing so, we hope to highlight the breadth of bacterial adhesins and vast variety of chemical structures coopted by bacteria to succeed in colonizing the human host. At the same time, we are trying to make apparent that this large repertoire of adhesins and adhesin-receptor interactions serves a common and well conserved purpose: the subversion and manipulation of host cellular functions aimed at bacterial clearance and maintenance of homeostasis. Finally, we discuss how bacterial adherence is becoming a sought-after target in our fight against the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.