At a high density of bacteria, sufficient quantities of signaling molecules (autoinducers) are available for binding to the signaling receptors on the bacterial surface (Gram-positive bacteria) or in the cytoplasm (Gram-negative bacteria), and the quorum sensing genes that enable the bacteria to act as a population become activated. The outcomes of bacteria-host interaction are often related to bacterial population density. Bacterial virulence, that is its ability to cause disease, is largely based on the bacterium's ability to produce gene products called virulence factors that enable that bacterium to colonize the host, resist body defenses, and harm the body.

Last updated: August, 2018
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