Final answer:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses fimbriae for adhesion to surfaces and host cells, aiding in colonization and infection. It produces various virulence factors, including biofilms and pigments, which enhance infectivity and survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) utilizes fimbriae for adhesion, which are short, bristle-like proteins that project from the bacterial cell surface. These fimbriae enable the bacterium to attach to surfaces and host cells, which is crucial for colonization, infectivity, and ultimately, virulence. Adhesion is significantly vital for the bacteria to establish infections and form biofilms, which are bacterial communities that produce extrapolymeric substance (EPS) providing additional adhesion and protection from the host immune response and antibiotic treatments.
P. aeruginosa is known for producing several virulence factors that contribute to its pathogenicity. These include pigments like pyocyanin and pyoverdin, which are siderophores aiding in iron uptake, as well as various enzymes and toxins such as phospholipase C, exoenzyme S, and exotoxin A that cause tissue damage and evade the host's immune defenses.