Cellular microbiology is a new discipline that is emerging at the interface between cell biology and microbiology. The application of molecular techniques to the study of bacterial pathogenesis has made possible discoveries that are changing the way scientists view the bacterium-host interaction. Today, research on the molecular basis of the pathogenesis of infective diarrheal diseases of necessity transcends established boundaries between cell biology, bacteriology, intestinal pathophysiology, and immunology. The use of microbial pathogens to address questions in cell physiology is just now yielding promising applications and striking results.

bacterial pathogenesis; enterotoxins; intracellular signaling; diarrhea; intestine

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R C Spiller Role of nerves in enteric infection Gut, December 1, 2002; 51(6): 759 - 762. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A Fasano Toxins and the gut: role in human disease Gut, May 1, 2002; 50(90003): iii9 - 14. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A FASANO Intestinal zonulin: open sesame! Gut, August 1, 2001; 49(2): 159 - 162. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Takahashi, N. Kenjyo, K. Imura, Y. Myonsun, and T. Honda Cl- Secretion in Colonic Epithelial Cells Induced by the Vibrio parahaemolyticus Hemolytic Toxin Related to Thermostable Direct Hemolysin Infect. Immun., September 1, 2000; 68(9): 5435 - 5438. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. TAKAHASHI, Y. SATO, Y. SHIOMI, V.V. CANTARELLI, T. IIDA, M. LEE, and T. HONDA Mechanisms of chloride secretion induced by thermostable direct haemolysin of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in human colonic tissue and a human intestinal epithelial cell line J. Med. Microbiol., September 1, 2000; 49(9): 801 - 810. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]