An Alternative Perspective on the Pathogenicity of Shigella flexneri: The Role of Biosurfactants

Biosurfactants are molecules with surfactant properties. These molecules, well known in bacteria of the genus P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, and B. licheniformis, have been widely studied and used in soil decontamination. All previous research on biosurfactants has focused on bioremediation, biorestoration, and food biopreservation. They have never been linked to Shigella flexneri pathogenicity. Biosurfactants are biomolecules involved in several phenomena in the microbial world. This review by no means contradicts the previous work done on the SHIGELLA model. It aims to give an opinion on two recently published studies regarding the roles played by biosurfactants in the pathogenicity of Shigella. It was concluded that several ambitious studies should be conducted, especially those concerning intracellular pathogenic bacteria, including Shigella, Salmonella and many others. These studies will make it possible to know the mechanisms of pathogenicity of these bacteria.