Interactions of microorganisms within a urinary catheter polymicrobial biofilm model

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Allkja, J (Author) Other; Goeres, DM (Author) Other; Azevedo, AS (Author) FEUP; Azevedo, NF (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Vol. 120

Pages: 239-249

ISSN: 0006-3592

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-9WA

DOI: 10.1002/bit.28241

Abstract (EN): Biofilms are often polymicrobial in nature, which can impact their behavior and overall structure, often resulting in an increase in biomass and enhanced antimicrobial resistance. Using plate counts and locked nucleic acid/2 '-O-methyl-RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (LNA/2 ' OMe-FISH), we studied the interactions of four species commonly associated with catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI): Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Proteus mirabilis. Eleven combinations of biofilms were grown on silicone coupons placed in 24-well plates for 24 h, 37 degrees C, in artificial urine medium (AUM). Results showed that P. mirabilis was the dominant species and was able to inhibit both E. coli and C. albicans growth. In the absence of P. mirabilis, an antagonistic relationship between E. coli and C. albicans was observed, with the former being dominant. E. faecalis growth was not affected in any combination, showing a more mutualistic relationship with the other species. Imaging results correlated with the plate count data and provided visual verification of species undetected using the viable plate count. Moreover, the three bacterial species showed overall good repeatability SD (S-r) values (0.1-0.54) in all combinations tested, whereas C. albicans had higher repeatability S-r values (0.36-1.18). The study showed the complexity of early-stage interactions in polymicrobial biofilms. These interactions could serve as a starting point when considering targets for preventing or treating CAUTI biofilms containing these species.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11