Adherence of microorganisms in infections of the respiratory tract.

Although upper respiratory infections are a cause of significant morbidity, the mechanism by which microorganisms have a toxic effect on these mucosal surfaces is only beginning to be understood. Human and animal research has indicated that microbial adherence to the host cell is one of the initial elements responsible for microbial toxicity to respiratory and gastrointestinal epithelium. The role played by adherence is governed by a variety of host and microbial factors. A clearer understanding of the role of these factors should help to promote methods of interfering with this toxic process and thus limit morbidity produced by these infections.