A potential antimicrobial drug is tested and found to strip away the capsules made by certain pathogenic bacteria. How would this drug affect the bacteria's ability to cause disease?

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Biology

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22 April, 10:24

A potential antimicrobial drug is tested and found to strip away the capsules made by certain pathogenic bacteria. How would this drug affect the bacteria's ability to cause disease?

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Yael Freeman · Answer 1

Answer & explanation:

The capsule is one of the main virulence factors (ability of a microorganism to cause disease) of bacteria, protecting them from phagocytosis (when a specialized cell called a "macrophage" encompasses invading particles in order to prevent damage to the organism) and recognition by the immune system. This allows them to survive, multiplicate and disseminate to various organs.

In addition, the capsule provides adhesion to surfaces (as well as flagella, fimbriae and adhesins), facilitating colonization.

By stripping the capsule of a bacterium, the antimicrobial agent would decrease its virulence not only by hindering its adhesion to body surfaces and structures, but also by limiting its defense against phagocytosis by eukaryotic cells (such as macrophages).