5.4.2: Virulence Factors that Damage the Host
Virulence factors that damage the host include: (1) the ability of PAMPs to trigger the production of inflammatory cytokines that result in an excessive inflammatory response; (2) the ability to produce harmful exotoxins; (3) and the ability to induce autoimmune responses. Most of the virulence factors we will discuss in this section that enable bacteria to harm the body are the products of quorum sensing genes. We will now look at each of these factors in greater detail.