What strategy do bacterial pathogens use to affect host cells?

Bacterial pathogens utilize a variety of strategies to manipulate and affect their host cells, and commandeering host cell pathways is one of the most effective methods. By hijacking these pathways, the bacteria can effectively alter the normal functions of the host cell to their advantage. This often involves the use of secretion systems that deliver virulence factors directly into host cells. These factors can modify signaling pathways, disrupt cell signaling, or even manipulate the immune response, allowing the bacteria to persist and thrive within the host.

This strategy goes beyond simply competing for nutrients or inducing changes in the host cell, such as apoptosis or enhanced cell proliferation. The ability to take control of the host machinery makes bacterial pathogens particularly adept at surviving and replicating in hostile environments, as they can evade immune responses and create a favorable niche for themselves within the host. Thus, commandeering host cell pathways is a direct approach that significantly impacts the course of infection and the overall interaction between the pathogen and host.