Fimbria (bacteriology)
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In bacteriology, fimbria is a proteinaceous appendage in many gram-negative bacteria that is thinner and shorter than a flagellum. This appendage ranges from 3-10 nanometers in diameter and can be up to several micrometers long. Fimbriae are used by bacteria to adhere to one another and to adhere to animal cells. A bacterium can have as many as 1,000 fimbriae. Fimbriae are only visible with the use of an electron microscope.
[edit] Virulence
Fimbriae are one of the primary mechanisms of virulence for E. coli bacteria. Their presence greatly enhances the bacteria's ability to attach to the host and cause disease.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Connell I, Agace W, Klemm P, Schembri M, Mărild S, Svanborg C (September 1996). "Type 1 fimbrial expression enhances Escherichia coli virulence for the urinary tract". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93 (18): 9827–32. PMID 8790416. PMC:38514.
[edit] External links
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