Bacterial chemotaxis in human diseases

To infect and cause disease, bacterial pathogens must localize to specific regions of the host where they possess the metabolic and defensive acumen for survival. Motile flagellated pathogens exercise control over their localization through chemotaxis to direct motility based on the landscape of exogenous nutrients, toxins, and molecular cues sensed within the host. Here, we review advances in understanding the roles chemotaxis plays in human diseases. Chemotaxis drives pathogen colonization to sites of inflammation and injury and mediates fitness advantages through accessing host-derived nutrients from damaged tissue. Injury tropism may worsen clinical outcomes through insti-gating chronic inflammation and subsequent cancer development. Inhibiting bacterial chemotactic systems could act synergistically with antibacterial medi-cines for more effective and specific eradication.

Automated summary

To cause disease, bacteria must localize to specific regions of the host where they can survive. Flagellated pathogens control their localization through chemotaxis based on sensing nutrients, toxins, and cues within the host. This review explores the role of chemotaxis in human diseases, including pathogen colonization, accessing host-derived nutrients, and potential therapeutic strategies for eradicating pathogens.