In bacteriology, a fimbria (plural fimbriae, also called pili) is a proteinaceous appendage in many Gram-negative bacteria that is thinner and shorter than a flagellum. This appendage ranges from 3-10 nanometers in diameter and can be up to several micrometers long. Fimbriae are used by bacteria to adhere to one another and to adhere to animal cells, and some inanimate objects. A bacterium can have as many as 1,000 fimbriae. Fimbriae are only visible with the use of an electron microscope.
Virulence
Fimbriae are one of the primary mechanisms of virulence for E. coli and Staph and Strep bacteria. Their presence greatly enhances the bacteria's ability to attach to the host and cause disease.[1]
References
- ^ Connell I, Agace W, Klemm P, Schembri M, Mărild S, Svanborg C (September 1996). "Type 1 fimbrial expression enhances Escherichia coli virulence for the urinary tract". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93 (18): 9827–32. doi:. PMID 8790416. PMC 38514. http://www.pnas.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=8790416.
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