Increasing numbers of bacterial pathogens have been identified as mediators of apoptosis in vitro (1, 2). These pathogens infect many different tissues and include gram-positive and-negative bacteria as well as Mycobacteria. In this review, we analyze the role of apoptosis in bacterial pathogenesis. At least three pathogenic strategies involve programmed cell death: activation of apoptosis to destroy cells, utilization of apoptosis to initiate inflammation (3), and inhibition of host cell apoptosis. In addition, host cell apoptosis might represent a host defense reaction (4).