An in vitro model of catheter-associated urinary tract infections to investigate the role of uncommon bacteria on the Escherichia coli microbial consortium

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017-02-15

Authors

Andreia S. Azevedo (Author) FEUP; Carina Almeida (Author) FEUP; Luciana C. Gomes (Author) FEUP; Filipe J. Mergulhão (Author) FEUP; Luís F. Melo (Author) FEUP; Nuno F. Azevedo (Author) FEUP; Carla Ferreira (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Biochemical Engineering Journal

Vol. 118

Pages: 64-69

ISSN: 1369-703X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 7 Citations

Associated Projects

DNA mimics - Desenvolvimento e aplicação de mímicos de DNA para a rápida identificação de microrganismos patogénicos

LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-GHK

DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2016.11.013

Abstract (EN): Uncommon bacteria, such as Delftia tusurhatensis have been isolated from CAUTIs in combination with well-established pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia colt. Nonetheless, the reason why E. colt coexists with other bacteria instead of outcompeting and completely eliminating them is unknown. As such, a flow cell reactor simulating the hydrodynamic conditions found in CAUTIs (shear rate of 15 s(-1)) was used to characterize the microbial physiology of E. coli and D. tsuruhatensis individually and in consortium, in terms of the growth kinetics and substrate uptake. Single-species biofilms showed that up to 48 h the cultivable cell counts significantly increased for both species (p < 0.05). When in dual-species biofilm, E. coli outnumbered D. tsuruhatensis up to 16 h and then D. tsuruhatensis gained a fitness advantage. However, the assessment of the spatial distribution of the dual-species biofilm by LNA/2'OMe-FISH revealed that E. coli and D. tsuruhatensis coexist and tend to co-aggregate over time, which suggests that both bacteria are able to cooperate synergistically. Substrate uptake measurements revealed that D. tsuruhatensis metabolized citric acid more rapidly, presumably leaving more uric acid available in the medium to be used by E. colt. In conclusion, E. colt and uncommon bacteria seem to cooperate, when sharing the same environment under dynamic conditions, leading to the persistence of both bacteria in a stable microbial community.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6