CXCL8 and infection: Given the zoonotic potential of W. chondrophila as a significant emerging pathogen in humans, and the central role that CXCL8 secretion by infected epithelial cells plays during the initiation of inflammation, this study was performed in order to ascertain if infection of human epithelial cells with W. chondrophila would stimulate CXCL8 release, and to investigate the signalling pathways which may be responsible for this response.