Pathogenicity factors

Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) is the major pathogenic factor responsible for atrophic rhinitis, a disease which is characterized by bone loss in the nose of pigs. PMT is a 145 kDa single-chain exotoxin, which activates Goq protein (but not Gan) and stimulates phospholipase C 3. In addition, G12/i3 proteins and subsequently Rho pathways are activated. 

Oxidative stress has received much attention as a potentially pathogenic factor. It may promote COPD by many factors such as induction of pro-inflammatory genes in many cells including epithelial and endothelial... 

O The development of acne lesions results from four pathogenic factors, which include excess sebum production, keratiniza-tion, bacterial growth, and inflammation. 

Liao CFI, Hung HY and Chatterjee AK. 1988. An extracellular pectate lyase is the pathogenicity factor of the soft-rotting bacterium Pseudomonas viridiflava. Mol Plant Microbe Interac 1 199-206. 

Information regarding pathogenic factors and the importance of medication compliance should be conveyed to patients. 

Many bacteria secrete a wide range of proteins including pathogenic factors such as toxins. They must pass through both the outer and inner membranes. There are various mechanisms for protein secretion. Among them, three pathways are conserved in many species of gram-negative bacteria (Salmond and Reeves, 1993 Nunn, 1999). 

Fig. 10.9 Pathogenic factors acting on neuronal targets in Alzheimer s disease and the process of pharmacological treatment. ABP, amyloid 3-protein APP, ABP precursor protein CHO, choies-teroi NFT-Tau, neurofibriiiary tangie tau...

Use of penicillin and the tetracyclines also causes selection for pathogenicity factors, that is, disease-causing factors. These factors and drug resistance have been shown to be linked on the same plasmid. Pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance can therefore be transferred simultaneously to other organisms. 

Renal osteodystrophy is a complex disorder with several pathogenic factors. Histological evidence of bone disease is common in early renal failure and deficits in calcitriol synthesis seems to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism in early CRF. The most common component is osteitis fibrosa manifested as subperiosteal resorption of bone. This is due to decreased excretion as well as increased secretion of parathyroid hormone. In CRF small increments of serum phosphorus cause small decreases in serum calcium. 

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hypergly-caemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism that are associated with absolute or relative deticiencies in insulin action and/or insulin secretion. Although diabetes is an endocrine deficiency or resistance state its major manifestations are those of metabolic disease with wide ranging tissue effects. Insulin resistance does exist in type 2 diabetes, however it is also exists in many individuals without diabetes. It is difficult to accept insulin resistance is the sole determining pathogenic factor in type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is more appropriate to describe type 2 diabetes as a condition of /3-cell dysfunction in an insulin resistance background. 

Pathogenic factors, triggers and aggravating factors are shown in star-shaped frames. 

Before commencing treatment, make a differentiation of the relevant syndrome (s) from the symptoms and signs so as to clarify the cause, location and nature of the pathogenic factors involved, and assess the relative strength of the body s resistance and the pathogenic factors. 

Exogenous pathogenic factors should always be eliminated from the body. Once that has been accomplished, focus on restoring the healthy balance of the body. 

When exterior pathogenic factors are complicated by interior pathogenic factors, treat the exterior factors first or treat both at the same... 

The purpose of treatment is not only to eliminate pathogenic factors, but also to strengthen the body s resistance, to maintain and improve the physical condition and constitution, to harmonize the Yin, Yang, Qi and blood, to re-establish the balance of the body, and to achieve a healthy mind and body. For example, to treat a bacterial infection, which often infers a damp-heat syndrome in TCM differentiation, the aim of treatment is not to kill the bacteria, but to eliminate damp-heat, promote the function of the Spleen and fortify the body s resistance, thereby restoring health. 

Sweetness may cause retention of dampness in the Middle-Jiao. When treating phlegm and dampness, which are excessive lingering pathogenic factors, formulas that contain herbs... 

This chapter introduces the principles, methods and strategies for the composition of formulas that stimulate the Qi in the superficial region, expel the exogenous pathogenic factors, and treat the exterior syndrome and other disorders that appear in this pathological process. 

When the Defensive-Qi pits its efforts against the pathogenic factors and tries to eliminate them, fever is produced. Because the Defensive-Qi cannot spread its Qi on the surface of the body, it accumulates beneath the surface and fever is produced. 

Since the pathogenic factors are wind and cold, which cannot injure the body fluid, patients do not feel thirsty. 

Wind-cold, as a Yin pathogenic factor, often firstly attacks the Yang region - the back of the body where the Bladder meridian passes. When the Qi and blood are not able to flow properly in this meridian, headache, stiffness of the neck and back, and general pain may appear. 

Sweating is the means of expelling the exterior pathogenic factors, especially wind and cold. The dosage of herbs should be adjusted according to the reaction and any changes in the symptoms. A mild sweat over the whole body is required. After sweating, patients should feel better. Heavy sweat can injure the Yin and the body fluid, and must be avoided. 

Dang Shen is sweet and neutral. It primarily enters the Spleen meridian. It can be used as deputy in an exterior syndrome when the Qi is too weak to eliminate the exterior pathogenic factors. It can tonify the Spleen-Qi so as to strengthen the Lung-Qi and Defensive-Qi, and accelerate the speed of eliminating the exterior pathogenic factors. 

When the Defensive-Qi is fighting against the pathogenic factor, heat is produced and fever arises. Heat is also a Yang pathogenic factor it can directly produce heat and cause fever. 

A tongue with a red tip and a thin yellow coating, and a superficial and rapid pulse indicate clearly the nature and location of the pathogenic factors. 

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