ESAM and infection: The infection process involves an intense inflammatory response, which is coordinated by pro-inflammatory mediators such as PGs (Celentano et al., 1995; Cardoni and Antunez, 2004), leukotrienes, cytokines, and chemokines that increase the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules (ECAMs), allowing the migration of immune cells to the infection site (Golias et al., 2007).