hich-portal-of-entry-is-most-likely-to-lead-to-disease-by-this-bacterium-and-why

Question

You isolate a bacterial species that expresses bile-resistant enzymes and adhesins specific for intestinal epithelial glycoproteins. Which portal of entry is most likely to lead to disease by this bacterium, and why?

Accepted Answer

Oral ingestion (mouth) because bile resistance enables survival in the small intestine and adhesins bind intestinal epithelial receptors needed for colonization and disease.

Answer

Inhalation (nose or mouth) because bile resistance is irrelevant for lung colonization and intestinal adhesins will function identically on respiratory epithelium.

Answer

Percutaneous entry through intact skin because skin microbes encounter bile during sebum production making bile resistance crucial for cutaneous survival.

Answer

Conjunctival exposure (eye) because tears are rich in bile salts and the adhesins will preferentially attach to ocular mucins rather than intestinal glycoproteins.