Effects of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa is often found in chronic infections, including cystic fibrosis lung infections and those related to chronic wounds and venous ulcers. At the latter sites, P. aeruginosa can be isolated together with Staphylococcus epidermidis, and we have therefore explored the effect of clinical isolates and laboratory strains of P. aeruginosa strains on colonisation by S. epidermidis in dual-species biofilms. Biofilm formation was assayed using 16S rRNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Amongst the six P. aeruginosa strains tested, one particular strain, denoted 14:2, exerted a significant inhibitory effect and even after six hours, S. epidermidis levels in dual-species biofilms were reduced by more than 85% compared to biofilms without P. aeruginosa. Interestingly strain 14:2 was found to be negative for classical virulence determinants including pyocyanin, elastase and alkaline protease. Therefore, we suggest that less virulent phenotypes of P. aeruginosa which may develop over time in chronic infections, could counteract colonisation by S. epidermidis, ensuring persistence and dominance by P. aeruginosa in the host micro-habitat. Further studies are required to explain the inhibitory effect on S. epidermidis, although, extracellular polysaccharides produced by P. aeruginosa might play a role in this phenomenon.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Mikrobiologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Microbiology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Dermatologi och venereologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dermatology and Venereal Diseases (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

dual-species biofilms

Adhesion

extracellular products

strain differences

competition

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