Bacterial inflammation.

Bacterial inflammation, initiated by microbial products themselves, plays an essential role in the efficacy of the host's response to infection. Natural antiinfectious immunity requires the participation of many cells and cytokines involved in the installation of the antibacterial response and in the inflammatory response. Among the numerous surface constituents and soluble factors released by bacteria, Gram negative bacterial endotoxins and Gram positive bacterial exotoxins play a predominant role by their capacity to induce the production of various cytokines. The inflammatory response, initiated in this way, requires a harmonious balance between pro-inflammatory factors and factors responsible for limiting the inflammatory process. Cells of the immune system are obviously an important source of these cytokines, but other cells such as mast cells also play a decisive role. Phagocytic cells activated by cytokines contribute to the elimination of pathogens via their increased microbicidal activity while also contributing to maintenance of the inflammatory process via the release of various pro-inflammatory mediators. Exacerbation of the production of certain cytokines is probably responsible for the tissue damage which on accompany infections. However, the extraordinary adaptation capacity of bacteria which allows them to thwart the mechanisms designed to eliminate them, can Limit the impact of the anti-infectious process.