1
|
Han Y, Gao YF, Xu HT, Li JP, Li C, Song CL, Lei CW, Chen X, Wang Q, Ma BH, Wang HN. Characterization and risk assessment of novel SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative elements with multidrug resistance in Proteus mirabilis isolated from China, 2018-2020. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0120923. [PMID: 38197656 PMCID: PMC10871549 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01209-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis can transfer transposons, insertion sequences, and gene cassettes to the chromosomes of other hosts through SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), significantly increasing the possibility of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) evolution and expanding the risk of ARGs transmission among bacteria. A total of 103 strains of P. mirabilis were isolated from 25 farms in China from 2018 to 2020. The positive detection rate of SXT/R391 ICEs was 25.2% (26/103). All SXT/R391 ICEs positive P. mirabilis exhibited a high level of overall drug resistance. Conjugation experiments showed that all 26 SXT/R391 ICEs could efficiently transfer to Escherichia coli EC600 with a frequency of 2.0 × 10-7 to 6.0 × 10-5. The acquired ARGs, genetic structures, homology relationships, and conservation sequences of 26 (19 different subtypes) SXT/R391 ICEs were investigated by high-throughput sequencing, whole-genome typing, and phylogenetic tree construction. ICEPmiChnHBRJC2 carries erm (42), which have never been found within an SXT/R391 ICE in P. mirabilis, and ICEPmiChnSC1111 carries 19 ARGs, including clinically important cfr, blaCTX-M-65, and aac(6')-Ib-cr, making it the ICE with the most ARGs reported to date. Through genetic stability, growth curve, and competition experiments, it was found that the transconjugant of ICEPmiChnSCNNC12 did not have a significant fitness cost on the recipient bacterium EC600 and may have a higher risk of transmission and dissemination. Although the transconjugant of ICEPmiChnSCSZC20 had a relatively obvious fitness cost on EC600, long-term resistance selection pressure may improve bacterial fitness through compensatory adaptation, providing scientific evidence for risk assessment of horizontal transfer and dissemination of SXT/R391 ICEs in P. mirabilis.IMPORTANCEThe spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is a major public health concern. The study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) in Proteus mirabilis, which can transfer ARGs to other hosts. The study found that all of the P. mirabilis strains carrying ICEs exhibited a high level of drug resistance and a higher risk of transmission and dissemination of ARGs. The analysis of novel multidrug-resistant ICEs highlighted the potential for the evolution and spread of novel resistance mechanisms. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring the spread of ICEs carrying ARGs and the urgent need for effective strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. Understanding the genetic diversity and potential for transmission of ARGs among bacteria is crucial for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the threat of antibiotic resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Han
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu-Feng Gao
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - He-ting Xu
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jin-Peng Li
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chao Li
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Cai-Liang Song
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chang-Wei Lei
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xuan Chen
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo-Heng Ma
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hong-Ning Wang
- Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Stolarek P, Bernat P, Różalski A. Adjustment in the Composition and Organization of Proteus mirabilis Lipids during the Swarming Process. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16461. [PMID: 38003652 PMCID: PMC10671106 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis, an opportunistic pathogen of the urinary tract, is known for its dimorphism and mobility. A connection of lipid alterations, induced by the rods elongation process, with enhanced pathogenicity of long-form morphotype for the development of urinary tract infections, seems highly probable. Therefore, research on the adjustment in the composition and organization of P. mirabilis lipids forming elongated rods was undertaken. The analyses performed using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry showed that drastic modifications in the morphology of P. mirabilis rods that occur during the swarming process are directly related to deprivation of the long-form cells of PE 33:1 and PG 31:2 and their enrichment with PE 32:1, PE 34:1, PE 34:2, PG 30:2, PG 32:1, and PG 34:1. The analyses conducted by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed negligible effects of the swarming process on fatty acids synthesis. However, the constant proportions between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids confirmed that phenotypic modifications in the P. mirabilis rods induced by motility were independent of the saturation of the phospholipid tails. The method of the Förster resonance energy transfer revealed the influence of the swarming process on the melting of ordered lipid rafts present in the short-form rods, corresponding to the homogeneity of lipid bilayers in the long-form rods of P. mirabilis. Confocal microscope photographs visualized strong Rhod-PE fluorescence of the whole area of swarmer cells, in contrast to weak membrane fluorescence of non-swarmer cells. It suggested an increased permeability of the P. mirabilis bilayers in long-form rods morphologically adapted to the swarming process. These studies clearly demonstrate that swarming motility regulates the lipid composition and organization in P. mirabilis rods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Stolarek
- Department of Biology of Bacteria, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Przemysław Bernat
- Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Antoni Różalski
- Department of Biology of Bacteria, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Scavone P, Iribarnegaray V, González MJ, Navarro N, Caneles-Huerta N, Jara-Wilde J, Härtel S, Zunino P. Role of Proteus mirabilis flagella in biofilm formation. Rev Argent Microbiol 2023; 55:226-234. [PMID: 37076397 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis(P. mirabilis) is a common etiological agent of urinary tract infections, particularly those associated with catheterization. P. mirabilis efficiently forms biofilms on different surfaces and shows a multicellular behavior called 'swarming', mediated by flagella. To date, the role of flagella in P. mirabilis biofilm formation has been under debate. In this study, we assessed the role of P. mirabilis flagella in biofilm formation using an isogenic allelic replacement mutant unable to express flagellin. Different approaches were used, such as the evaluation of cell surface hydrophobicity, bacterial motility and migration across catheter sections, measurements of biofilm biomass and biofilm dynamics by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy in static and flow models. Our findings indicate that P. mirabilis flagella play a role in biofilm formation, although their lack does not completely avoid biofilm generation. Our data suggest that impairment of flagellar function can contribute to biofilm prevention in the context of strategies focused on particular bacterial targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Scavone
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Victoria Iribarnegaray
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay; Department of Pathobiology, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María José González
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nicolás Navarro
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nicole Caneles-Huerta
- Laboratory for Scientific Image Processing (SCIAN-Lab), Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge Jara-Wilde
- Laboratory for Scientific Image Processing (SCIAN-Lab), Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Steffen Härtel
- Laboratory for Scientific Image Processing (SCIAN-Lab), Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tian D, Wang C, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Caliari A, Lu H, Xia Y, Xu B, Xu J, Yomo T. Cell Sorting-Directed Selection of Bacterial Cells in Bigger Sizes Analyzed by Imaging Flow Cytometry during Experimental Evolution. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043243. [PMID: 36834655 PMCID: PMC9966196 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell morphology is an essential and phenotypic trait that can be easily tracked during adaptation and evolution to environmental changes. Thanks to the rapid development of quantitative analytical techniques for large populations of cells based on their optical properties, morphology can be easily determined and tracked during experimental evolution. Furthermore, the directed evolution of new culturable morphological phenotypes can find use in synthetic biology to refine fermentation processes. It remains unknown whether and how fast we can obtain a stable mutant with distinct morphologies using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-directed experimental evolution. Taking advantage of FACS and imaging flow cytometry (IFC), we direct the experimental evolution of the E. coli population undergoing continuous passage of sorted cells with specific optical properties. After ten rounds of sorting and culturing, a lineage with large cells resulting from incomplete closure of the division ring was obtained. Genome sequencing highlighted a stop-gain mutation in amiC, leading to a dysfunctional AmiC division protein. The combination of FACS-based selection with IFC analysis to track the evolution of the bacteria population in real-time holds promise to rapidly select and culture new morphologies and association tendencies with many potential applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jian Xu
- Correspondence: (J.X.); (T.Y.); Tel.: +86-(21)-62233727 (J.X. & T.Y.)
| | - Tetsuya Yomo
- Correspondence: (J.X.); (T.Y.); Tel.: +86-(21)-62233727 (J.X. & T.Y.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang S, Teng X, Liang X, Gadd GM, McCoy CP, Dong Y, Wang Y, Zhao Q. Fibrinogen Deposition on Silicone Oil-Infused Silver-Releasing Urinary Catheters Compromises Antibiofilm and Anti-Encrustation Properties. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:1562-1572. [PMID: 36661856 PMCID: PMC9893812 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c03020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Slippery silicone-oil-infused (SOI) surfaces have recently emerged as a promising alternative to conventional anti-infection coatings for urinary catheters to combat biofilm and encrustation formation. Benefiting from the ultralow low hysteresis and slippery behavior, the liquid-like SOI coatings have been found to effectively reduce bacterial adhesion under both static and flow conditions. However, in real clinical settings, the use of catheters may also trigger local inflammation, leading to release of host-secreted proteins, such as fibrinogen (Fgn) that deposits on the catheter surfaces, creating a niche that can be exploited by uropathogens to cause infections. In this work, we report on the fabrication of a silicone oil-infused silver-releasing catheter which exhibited superior durability and robust antibacterial activity in aqueous conditions, reducing biofilm formation of two key uropathogens Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis by ∼99%, when compared with commercial all-silicone catheters after 7 days while remaining noncytotoxic toward L929 mouse fibroblasts. After exposure to Fgn, the oil-infused surfaces induced conformational changes in the protein which accelerated adsorption onto the surfaces. The deposited Fgn blocked the interaction of silver with the bacteria and served as a scaffold, which promoted bacterial colonization, resulting in a compromised antibiofilm activity. Fgn binding also facilitated the migration of Proteus mirabilis over the catheter surfaces and accelerated the deposition and spread of crystalline biofilm. Our findings suggest that the use of silicone oil-infused silver-releasing urinary catheters may not be a feasible strategy to combat infections and associated complications arising from severe inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhang
- School
of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, BT9 7BL, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Xiao Teng
- School
of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, BT9 7BL, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Xinjin Liang
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, Dundee, United Kingdom
- School
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, BT9 AG, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey Michael Gadd
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, Dundee, United Kingdom
- State
Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of
Oil and Gas Pollution Control, China University
of Petroleum, Beijing102249, China
| | - Colin Peter McCoy
- School
of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, BT9 7BL, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Yuhang Dong
- School
of Science and Engineering, University of
Dundee, DD1 4HN, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Yimeng Wang
- School
of Science and Engineering, University of
Dundee, DD1 4HN, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Qi Zhao
- School
of Science and Engineering, University of
Dundee, DD1 4HN, Dundee, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Drug-Resistant Proteus Virulence Factors Characterization and Their Inhibition Using Probiotic Bacteria. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2022. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm-124234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The genus Proteus is a Gram-negative bacterium with a unique characteristic of swarming. Mainly three species are involved in initiating urinary tract infections in the community and in immunocompromised patients, particularly in patients going through long-term catheterization. Due to their strong virulence factors like biofilm formations, protease, and hemolysin, they can lead to lengthening infections in affected individuals. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial to human health and can be used as an alternative for the control of nosocomial diseases. Lactobacilli are one of the common probiotics mostly found in yogurt and other fermented foods that have been used as a substitute for infection control. Objectives: The current study was designed to screen potential probiotic bacteria to encounter antibiotic-resistant and virulent Proteus species. Methods: In the current study, using probiotics, already known antibiotic-resistant isolates (n = 25) of Proteus were processed to characterize their virulence factors and their inhibition. Biofilm formation, protease, and hemolysin activities were studied using different phenotypic detection methods. Further, their virulence genes zapA, flg, hmpA, mrp, and rsbA were explored using their genomic DNA. These isolates were found resistant to different classes of antibiotics, and a strategy was designed to inhibit their growth by using probiotic bacteria isolated from the soil. Results: Virulence factors first, all isolates were subjected to biofilm detection, and they were 32% (n = 8) strong, 40% (n = 10) moderate, 16% (n = 4) weak, and 12% (n = 3) non-biofilm producers. All isolates were positive for swarming activity by showing a differentiated ring form of growth. Protease activity showed 56% (n = 14) isolates. Only 24% (n = 6) of isolates were positive for hemolysin. Virulence factors and molecular mechanisms were studied, and gene rsbA responsible for swarming was amplified in 17 (68%) Proteus isolates, and mrp responsible for fimbria was detected in 19 (76%) bacterial isolates. Further, these isolates were subjected to flagella, protease, and hemolysin, and it was revealed that flg 11 (44%), 13 (52%) protease coding zapA, and hmA gene coding hemolysin were amplified in 2 (8%) Proteus isolates. Probiotic bacteria isolated from soil samples were probed for antagonistic activity against Proteus species. The probiotic bacteria were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, and B. licheniformis. Due to their strong growth inhibitory effects against Proteus, it is crucial to characterize further the metabolites that have shown suppressive results against Proteus. Conclusions: Findings from the current study will provide new avenues for drug development and also help clinicians manage resistant pathogens in healthcare settings. Probiotic applications for infection control can be useful in treating resistant pathogens. Further purification and characterization of metabolites will provide alternative options for managing resistance issues in microbes.
Collapse
|
7
|
Algammal AM, Hashem HR, Alfifi KJ, Hetta HF, Sheraba NS, Ramadan H, El-Tarabili RM. atpD gene sequencing, multidrug resistance traits, virulence-determinants, and antimicrobial resistance genes of emerging XDR and MDR-Proteus mirabilis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9476. [PMID: 33947875 PMCID: PMC8096940 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88861-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a common opportunistic pathogen causing severe illness in humans and animals. To determine the prevalence, antibiogram, biofilm-formation, screening of virulence, and antimicrobial resistance genes in P. mirabilis isolates from ducks; 240 samples were obtained from apparently healthy and diseased ducks from private farms in Port-Said Province, Egypt. The collected samples were examined bacteriologically, and then the recovered isolates were tested for atpD gene sequencing, antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm-formation, PCR detection of virulence, and antimicrobial resistance genes. The prevalence of P. mirabilis in the examined samples was 14.6% (35/240). The identification of the recovered isolates was confirmed by the atpD gene sequencing, where the tested isolates shared a common ancestor. Besides, 94.3% of P. mirabilis isolates were biofilm producers. The recovered isolates were resistant to penicillins, sulfonamides, β-Lactam-β-lactamase-inhibitor-combinations, tetracyclines, cephalosporins, macrolides, and quinolones. Using PCR, the retrieved strains harbored atpD, ureC, rsbA, and zapA virulence genes with a prevalence of 100%, 100%, 94.3%, and 91.4%, respectively. Moreover, 31.4% (11/35) of the recovered strains were XDR to 8 antimicrobial classes that harbored blaTEM, blaOXA-1, blaCTX-M, tetA, and sul1 genes. Besides, 22.8% (8/35) of the tested strains were MDR to 3 antimicrobial classes and possessed blaTEM, tetA, and sul1genes. Furthermore, 17.1% (6/35) of the tested strains were MDR to 7 antimicrobial classes and harbored blaTEM, blaOXA-1, blaCTX-M, tetA, and sul1 genes. Alarmingly, three strains were carbapenem-resistant that exhibited PDR to all the tested 10 antimicrobial classes and shared blaTEM, blaOXA-1, blaCTX-M, tetA, and sul1 genes. Of them, two strains harbored the blaNDM-1 gene, and one strain carried the blaKPC gene. In brief, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the emergence of XDR and MDR-P.mirabilis in ducks. Norfloxacin exhibited promising antibacterial activity against the recovered XDR and MDR-P. mirabilis. The emergence of PDR, XDR, and MDR-strains constitutes a threat alarm that indicates the complicated treatment of the infections caused by these superbugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdelazeem M. Algammal
- grid.33003.330000 0000 9889 5690Department of Bacteriology, Immunology, and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522 Egypt
| | - Hany R. Hashem
- grid.411170.20000 0004 0412 4537Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Fayoum University, Fayoum, 63514 Egypt
| | - Khyreyah J. Alfifi
- grid.440760.10000 0004 0419 5685Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tabuk University, Tabuk, 7149 Saudi Arabia
| | - Helal F. Hetta
- grid.252487.e0000 0000 8632 679XDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, Assuit, 71515 Egypt
| | - Norhan S. Sheraba
- grid.463319.aVACSERA, the Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines, Giza, 12511 Egypt
| | - Hazem Ramadan
- grid.10251.370000000103426662Hygiene and Zoonoses Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516 Egypt
| | - Reham M. El-Tarabili
- grid.33003.330000 0000 9889 5690Department of Bacteriology, Immunology, and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522 Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yuan F, Huang Z, Yang T, Wang G, Li P, Yang B, Li J. Pathogenesis of Proteus mirabilis in Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections. Urol Int 2021; 105:354-361. [PMID: 33691318 DOI: 10.1159/000514097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis (PM) is a Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium and widely exists in the natural environment, and it is most noted for its swarming motility and urease activity. PM is the main pathogen causing complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Clinically, PM can form a crystalline biofilm on the outer surface and inner cavity of the urethral indwelling catheter owing to its ureolytic biomineralization. This leads to catheter encrustation and blockage and, in most cases, is accompanied by urine retention and ascending UTI, causing cystitis, pyelonephritis, and the development of bladder or kidney stones, or even fatal complications such as septicemia and endotoxic shock. In this review, we discuss how PM is mediated by a catheter into the urethra, bladder, and then rose to the kidney causing UTI and the main virulence factors associated with different stages of infection, including flagella, pili or adhesins, urease, hemolysin, metal intake, and immune escape, encompassing both historical perspectives and current advances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yuan
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Ziye Huang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Tongxin Yang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Pei Li
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Bowei Yang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jiongming Li
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Salem MSED, Mahfouz AY, Fathy RM. The antibacterial and antihemolytic activities assessment of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts and gamma irradiation against the uro-pathogenic multidrug resistant Proteus vulgaris. Biometals 2020; 34:175-196. [PMID: 33244683 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-020-00271-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In the case of Proteus vulgaris infection, the increased occurrence of multidrug-resistance strains has become a critical challenge in the treatment of urinary tract diseases. Therefore, using plant extracts as eco-friendly antibacterial provides an attractive solution to battle bacterial infection. The current study investigates the antibacterial and antihemolytic activity of nine medicinal plant extracts against P. vulgaris. Citrus limon extract at 150 µg/ml exhibited the highest antimicrobial action against P. vulgaris (the inhibition zone diameter; 22.7 mm). Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are synthesized using the plant extracts of C. limon, Allium sativum, Sonchus bulbosus, Allium cepa, and Asparagus racemosus. The antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs synthesized using C. limon extract at 150 µg/ml is significantly increased (33.8 mm). ZnO NPs synthesized using A. cepa, A. racemosus, and C. limon plant extracts are effectively protective for human red blood cells. The ZnO NPs synthesized using C. limon extract are characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and TEM. FTIR revealed that the plant extracts may serve as reducing and capping agents of ZnO NPs. XRD spectra confirmed the crystallinity of ZnO NPs. TEM image demonstrated the formation of spherical shapes of ZnO NPs with an average size of 37.05 nm. SEM of P. vulgaris cells treated with ZnO NPs showed cellular morphological damage compared to the untreated cells. ZnO NPs are synthesized by gamma irradiation as a clean and novel method. This study recommended the promising uses of the biosynthesized ZnO NPs using plant extracts as a natural, unique approach, to control the pathogenicity of P. vulgaris.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Salah El-Deen Salem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Girls Branch), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amira Yahia Mahfouz
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Girls Branch), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rasha Mohammad Fathy
- Drug Radiation Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, P.O Box 29, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kart D, Yabanoglu Ciftci S, Nemutlu E. Altered metabolomic profile of dual-species biofilm: Interactions between Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans. Microbiol Res 2019; 230:126346. [PMID: 31563763 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2019.126346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to determine the interspecies interactions between Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans. Mono and dual-species biofilms were grown in a microtiter plate and metabolomic analysis of the biofilms was performed. The effects of togetherness of two species on the expression levels of candidal virulence genes and urease and swarming activities of P.mirabilis were investigated. The growth of C.albicans was inhibited by P.mirabilis whereas the growth and swarming activity of P.mirabilis were increased by C.albicans. The inhibition of Candida cell growth was found to be biofilm specific. The alteration was not detected in urease activity. The expressions of EFG1, HWP1 and SAP2 genes were significantly down-regulated, however, LIP1 was upregulated by P.mirabilis. In the presence of P.mirabilis carbonhydrates, amino acids, polyamine and lipid metabolisms were altered in C.albicans. Interestingly, the putrescine level was increased up to 230 fold in dual-species biofilm compared to monospecies C.albicans biofilm. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the impact of each microbial pathogen on the dual microbial environment by integration of metabolomic data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Didem Kart
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Samiye Yabanoglu Ciftci
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Biochemistry, Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emirhan Nemutlu
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis, a Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium most noted for its swarming motility and urease activity, frequently causes catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) that are often polymicrobial. These infections may be accompanied by urolithiasis, the development of bladder or kidney stones due to alkalinization of urine from urease-catalyzed urea hydrolysis. Adherence of the bacterium to epithelial and catheter surfaces is mediated by 17 different fimbriae, most notably MR/P fimbriae. Repressors of motility are often encoded by these fimbrial operons. Motility is mediated by flagella encoded on a single contiguous 54-kb chromosomal sequence. On agar plates, P. mirabilis undergoes a morphological conversion to a filamentous swarmer cell expressing hundreds of flagella. When swarms from different strains meet, a line of demarcation, a "Dienes line," develops due to the killing action of each strain's type VI secretion system. During infection, histological damage is caused by cytotoxins including hemolysin and a variety of proteases, some autotransported. The pathogenesis of infection, including assessment of individual genes or global screens for virulence or fitness factors has been assessed in murine models of ascending urinary tract infections or CAUTIs using both single-species and polymicrobial models. Global gene expression studies performed in culture and in the murine model have revealed the unique metabolism of this bacterium. Vaccines, using MR/P fimbria and its adhesin, MrpH, have been shown to be efficacious in the murine model. A comprehensive review of factors associated with urinary tract infection is presented, encompassing both historical perspectives and current advances.
Collapse
|
12
|
Yeh HY, Line JE, Hinton A. Molecular Analysis, Biochemical Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, and Immunological Analysis of Proteus mirabilis
Isolated from Broilers. J Food Sci 2018; 83:770-779. [DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.14056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Yueh Yeh
- Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit, U.S. Natl. Poultry Research Center, Agricultural Research Service; U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; 950 College Station Road Athens GA 30605-2720 U.S.A
| | - John E. Line
- Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit, U.S. Natl. Poultry Research Center, Agricultural Research Service; U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; 950 College Station Road Athens GA 30605-2720 U.S.A
| | - Arthur Hinton
- Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit, U.S. Natl. Poultry Research Center, Agricultural Research Service; U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; 950 College Station Road Athens GA 30605-2720 U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Evaluation of Biofilm Induced Urinary Infection Stone Formation in a Novel Laboratory Model System. J Urol 2018; 199:178-185. [DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2017.08.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
14
|
Saeb ATM, Al-Rubeaan KA, Abouelhoda M, Selvaraju M, Tayeb HT. Genome sequencing and analysis of the first spontaneous Nanosilver resistant bacterium Proteus mirabilis strain SCDR1. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2017; 6:119. [PMID: 29204271 PMCID: PMC5701452 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-017-0277-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background P. mirabilis is a common uropathogenic bacterium that can cause major complications in patients with long-standing indwelling catheters or patients with urinary tract anomalies. In addition, P. mirabilis is a common cause of chronic osteomyelitis in Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients. We isolated P. mirabilis SCDR1 from a Diabetic ulcer patient. We examined P. mirabilis SCDR1 levels of resistance against Nanosilver colloids, the commercial Nanosilver and silver containing bandages and commonly used antibiotics. We utilized next generation sequencing techniques (NGS), bioinformatics, phylogenetic analysis and pathogenomics in the characterization of the infectious pathogen. Results P. mirabilis SCDR1 was the first Nanosilver resistant isolate collected from a diabetic patient polyclonal infection. P. mirabilis SCDR1 showed high levels of resistance against Nanosilver colloids, Nanosilver chitosan composite and the commercially available Nanosilver and silver bandages. The P. mirabilis -SCDR1 genome size is 3,815,621 bp. with G + C content of 38.44%. P. mirabilis-SCDR1 genome contains a total of 3533 genes, 3414 coding DNA sequence genes, 11, 10, 18 rRNAs (5S, 16S, and 23S), and 76 tRNAs. Our isolate contains all the required pathogenicity and virulence factors to establish a successful infection. P. mirabilis SCDR1 isolate is a potential virulent pathogen that despite its original isolation site, the wound, can establish kidney infection and its associated complications. P. mirabilis SCDR1 contains several mechanisms for antibiotics and metals resistance, including, biofilm formation, swarming mobility, efflux systems, and enzymatic detoxification. Conclusion P. mirabilis SCDR1 is the first reported spontaneous Nanosilver resistant bacterial strain. P. mirabilis SCDR1 possesses several mechanisms that may lead to the observed Nanosilver resistance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13756-017-0277-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amr T M Saeb
- Genetics and Biotechnology Department, Strategic Center for Diabetes Research, College of medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid A Al-Rubeaan
- Genetics and Biotechnology Department, Strategic Center for Diabetes Research, College of medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Abouelhoda
- Genetics Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Saudi Human Genome Project, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Manojkumar Selvaraju
- Saudi Human Genome Project, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Integrated Gulf Biosystems, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamsa T Tayeb
- Genetics Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,Saudi Human Genome Project, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
van Teeseling MCF, de Pedro MA, Cava F. Determinants of Bacterial Morphology: From Fundamentals to Possibilities for Antimicrobial Targeting. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1264. [PMID: 28740487 PMCID: PMC5502672 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial morphology is extremely diverse. Specific shapes are the consequence of adaptive pressures optimizing bacterial fitness. Shape affects critical biological functions, including nutrient acquisition, motility, dispersion, stress resistance and interactions with other organisms. Although the characteristic shape of a bacterial species remains unchanged for vast numbers of generations, periodical variations occur throughout the cell (division) and life cycles, and these variations can be influenced by environmental conditions. Bacterial morphology is ultimately dictated by the net-like peptidoglycan (PG) sacculus. The species-specific shape of the PG sacculus at any time in the cell cycle is the product of multiple determinants. Some morphological determinants act as a cytoskeleton to guide biosynthetic complexes spatiotemporally, whereas others modify the PG sacculus after biosynthesis. Accumulating evidence supports critical roles of morphogenetic processes in bacteria-host interactions, including pathogenesis. Here, we review the molecular determinants underlying morphology, discuss the evidence linking bacterial morphology to niche adaptation and pathogenesis, and examine the potential of morphological determinants as antimicrobial targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muriel C F van Teeseling
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå UniversityUmeå, Sweden
| | - Miguel A de Pedro
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Cava
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå UniversityUmeå, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Armbruster CE, Forsyth-DeOrnellas V, Johnson AO, Smith SN, Zhao L, Wu W, Mobley HLT. Genome-wide transposon mutagenesis of Proteus mirabilis: Essential genes, fitness factors for catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and the impact of polymicrobial infection on fitness requirements. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006434. [PMID: 28614382 PMCID: PMC5484520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacterium Proteus mirabilis is a leading cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which are often polymicrobial. Numerous prior studies have uncovered virulence factors for P. mirabilis pathogenicity in a murine model of ascending UTI, but little is known concerning pathogenesis during CAUTI or polymicrobial infection. In this study, we utilized five pools of 10,000 transposon mutants each and transposon insertion-site sequencing (Tn-Seq) to identify the full arsenal of P. mirabilis HI4320 fitness factors for single-species versus polymicrobial CAUTI with Providencia stuartii BE2467. 436 genes in the input pools lacked transposon insertions and were therefore concluded to be essential for P. mirabilis growth in rich medium. 629 genes were identified as P. mirabilis fitness factors during single-species CAUTI. Tn-Seq from coinfection with P. stuartii revealed 217/629 (35%) of the same genes as identified by single-species Tn-Seq, and 1353 additional factors that specifically contribute to colonization during coinfection. Mutants were constructed in eight genes of interest to validate the initial screen: 7/8 (88%) mutants exhibited the expected phenotypes for single-species CAUTI, and 3/3 (100%) validated the expected phenotypes for polymicrobial CAUTI. This approach provided validation of numerous previously described P. mirabilis fitness determinants from an ascending model of UTI, the discovery of novel fitness determinants specifically for CAUTI, and a stringent assessment of how polymicrobial infection influences fitness requirements. For instance, we describe a requirement for branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis by P. mirabilis during coinfection due to high-affinity import of leucine by P. stuartii. Further investigation of genes and pathways that provide a competitive advantage during both single-species and polymicrobial CAUTI will likely provide robust targets for therapeutic intervention to reduce P. mirabilis CAUTI incidence and severity. Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of single-species and polymicrobial catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Prior studies have uncovered P. mirabilis virulence factors for single-species ascending UTI, but little is known concerning pathogenesis during CAUTI or polymicrobial infection. Using transposon insertion-site sequencing (Tn-Seq), we performed a global assessment of P. mirabilis fitness factors for CAUTI while simultaneously determining how coinfection with another CAUTI pathogen, Providencia stuartii, alters P. mirabilis fitness requirements. This approach provides six important contributions to the field: 1) the first global estimation of P. mirabilis genes essential for growth, 2) validation of a role for known P. mirabilis fitness factors during CAUTI, 3) identification of novel fitness factors, 4) identification of core fitness factors for both single-species and polymicrobial CAUTI, 5) identification of single-species fitness factors that are complemented during polymicrobial infection, and 6) identification of factors that only provide a competitive advantage during polymicrobial infection. We further demonstrate that the CAUTI model can be used to examine the interplay between fitness requirements of both species during coinfection. Investigation of fitness requirements for other pathogens during single-species and polymicrobial CAUTI will elucidate complex interactions that contribute to disease severity and uncover conserved targets for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsie E. Armbruster
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CEA); (HLTM)
| | - Valerie Forsyth-DeOrnellas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Alexandra O. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sara N. Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Weisheng Wu
- Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Harry L. T. Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CEA); (HLTM)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Norsworthy AN, Pearson MM. From Catheter to Kidney Stone: The Uropathogenic Lifestyle of Proteus mirabilis. Trends Microbiol 2016; 25:304-315. [PMID: 28017513 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2016.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a model organism for urease-producing uropathogens. These diverse bacteria cause infection stones in the urinary tract and form crystalline biofilms on indwelling urinary catheters, frequently leading to polymicrobial infection. Recent work has elucidated how P. mirabilis causes all of these disease states. Particularly exciting is the discovery that this bacterium forms large clusters in the bladder lumen that are sites for stone formation. These clusters, and other steps of infection, require two virulence factors in particular: urease and MR/P fimbriae. Highlighting the importance of MR/P fimbriae is the cotranscribed regulator, MrpJ, which globally controls virulence. Overall, P. mirabilis exhibits an extraordinary lifestyle, and further probing will answer exciting basic microbiological and clinically relevant questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison N Norsworthy
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melanie M Pearson
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Urology, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Current address: University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 5641 Medical Science Building II, 1150 West Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0620, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Christopoulos G, Christopoulou V, Routsias JG, Babionitakis A, Antoniadis C, Vaiopoulos G. Greek rheumatoid arthritis patients have elevated levels of antibodies against antigens from Proteus mirabilis. Clin Rheumatol 2016; 36:527-535. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-016-3441-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
19
|
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacterium and is well known for its ability to robustly swarm across surfaces in a striking bulls'-eye pattern. Clinically, this organism is most frequently a pathogen of the urinary tract, particularly in patients undergoing long-term catheterization. This review covers P. mirabilis with a focus on urinary tract infections (UTI), including disease models, vaccine development efforts, and clinical perspectives. Flagella-mediated motility, both swimming and swarming, is a central facet of this organism. The regulation of this complex process and its contribution to virulence is discussed, along with the type VI-secretion system-dependent intra-strain competition, which occurs during swarming. P. mirabilis uses a diverse set of virulence factors to access and colonize the host urinary tract, including urease and stone formation, fimbriae and other adhesins, iron and zinc acquisition, proteases and toxins, biofilm formation, and regulation of pathogenesis. While significant advances in this field have been made, challenges remain to combatting complicated UTI and deciphering P. mirabilis pathogenesis.
Collapse
|
20
|
O'May C, Amzallag O, Bechir K, Tufenkji N. Cranberry derivatives enhance biofilm formation and transiently impair swarming motility of the uropathogen Proteus mirabilis HI4320. Can J Microbiol 2016; 62:464-74. [PMID: 27090825 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2015-0715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a major cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), emphasizing that novel strategies for targeting this bacterium are needed. Potential targets are P. mirabilis surface-associated swarming motility and the propensity of these bacteria to form biofilms that may lead to catheter blockage. We previously showed that the addition of cranberry powder (CP) to lysogeny broth (LB) medium resulted in impaired P. mirabilis swarming motility over short time periods (up to 16 h). Herein, we significantly expanded on those findings by exploring (i) the effects of cranberry derivatives on biofilm formation of P. mirabilis, (ii) whether swarming inhibition occurred transiently or over longer periods more relevant to real infections (∼3 days), (iii) whether swarming was also blocked by commercially available cranberry juices, (iv) whether CP or cranberry juices exhibited effects under natural urine conditions, and (v) the effects of cranberry on medium pH, which is an indirect indicator of urease activity. At short time scales (24 h), CP and commercially available pure cranberry juice impaired swarming motility and repelled actively swarming bacteria in LB medium. Over longer time periods more representative of infections (∼3 days), the capacity of the cranberry material to impair swarming diminished and bacteria would start to migrate across the surface, albeit by exhibiting a different motility phenotype to the regular "bull's-eye" swarming phenotype of P. mirabilis. This bacterium did not swarm on urine agar or LB agar supplemented with urea, suggesting that any potential application of anti-swarming compounds may be better suited to settings external to the urine environment. Anti-swarming effects were confounded by the ability of cranberry products to enhance biofilm formation in both LB and urine conditions. These findings provide key insights into the long-term strategy of targeting P. mirabilis CAUTIs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Che O'May
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Olivier Amzallag
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Karim Bechir
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Nathalie Tufenkji
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 0C5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Proteus mirabilis fimbriae- and urease-dependent clusters assemble in an extracellular niche to initiate bladder stone formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:4494-9. [PMID: 27044107 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1601720113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The catheter-associated uropathogenProteus mirabilisfrequently causes urinary stones, but little has been known about the initial stages of bladder colonization and stone formation. We found thatP. mirabilisrapidly invades the bladder urothelium, but generally fails to establish an intracellular niche. Instead, it forms extracellular clusters in the bladder lumen, which form foci of mineral deposition consistent with development of urinary stones. These clusters elicit a robust neutrophil response, and we present evidence of neutrophil extracellular trap generation during experimental urinary tract infection. We identified two virulence factors required for cluster development: urease, which is required for urolithiasis, and mannose-resistantProteus-like fimbriae. The extracellular cluster formation byP. mirabilisstands in direct contrast to uropathogenicEscherichia coli, which readily formed intracellular bacterial communities but not luminal clusters or urinary stones. We propose that extracellular clusters are a key mechanism ofP. mirabilissurvival and virulence in the bladder.
Collapse
|
22
|
The Rcs regulon in Proteus mirabilis: implications for motility, biofilm formation, and virulence. Curr Genet 2016; 62:775-789. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-016-0579-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
23
|
Staying in Shape: the Impact of Cell Shape on Bacterial Survival in Diverse Environments. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2016; 80:187-203. [PMID: 26864431 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00031-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria display an abundance of cellular forms and can change shape during their life cycle. Many plausible models regarding the functional significance of cell morphology have emerged. A greater understanding of the genetic programs underpinning morphological variation in diverse bacterial groups, combined with assays of bacteria under conditions that mimic their varied natural environments, from flowing freshwater streams to diverse human body sites, provides new opportunities to probe the functional significance of cell shape. Here we explore shape diversity among bacteria, at the levels of cell geometry, size, and surface appendages (both placement and number), as it relates to survival in diverse environments. Cell shape in most bacteria is determined by the cell wall. A major challenge in this field has been deconvoluting the effects of differences in the chemical properties of the cell wall and the resulting cell shape perturbations on observed fitness changes. Still, such studies have begun to reveal the selective pressures that drive the diverse forms (or cell wall compositions) observed in mammalian pathogens and bacteria more generally, including efficient adherence to biotic and abiotic surfaces, survival under low-nutrient or stressful conditions, evasion of mammalian complement deposition, efficient dispersal through mucous barriers and tissues, and efficient nutrient acquisition.
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhang Y, Yang S, Dai X, Liu L, Jiang X, Shao M, Chi S, Wang C, Yu C, Wei K, Zhu R. Protective immunity induced by the vaccination of recombinant Proteus mirabilis OmpA expressed in Pichia pastoris. Protein Expr Purif 2014; 105:33-8. [PMID: 25317910 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2014] [Revised: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) is a zoonotic pathogen that has recently presented a rising infection rate in the poultry industry. To develop an effective vaccine to protect chickens against P. mirabilis infection, OmpA, one of the major outer membrane proteins of P. mirabilis, was expressed in Pichia pastoris. The concentration of the expressed recombinant OmpA protein reached 8.0μg/mL after induction for 96h with 1.0% methanol in the culture. In addition, OmpA protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis using the antibody against Escherichia coli-expressed OmpA protein. Taishan Pinus massoniana pollen polysaccharide, a known plant-derived adjuvant, was mixed into the recombinant OmpA protein to prepare the OmpA subunit vaccine. We then subcutaneously inoculated this vaccine into chickens to examine the immunoprotective effects. ELISA analysis indicated that an excellent antibody response against OmpA was elicited in the vaccinated chickens. Moreover, a high protection rate of 80.0% was observed in the vaccinated group, which was subsequently challenged with P. mirabilis. The results suggest that the eukaryotic P. mirabilis OmpA was an ideal candidate protein for developing an effective subunit vaccine against P. mirabilis infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongbing Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Shifa Yang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Xiumei Dai
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Liping Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Xiaodong Jiang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Mingxu Shao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Shanshan Chi
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Chuanwen Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Cuilian Yu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Kai Wei
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Ruiliang Zhu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Avenue, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhao J, Gao J, Chen F, Ren F, Dai R, Liu Y, Li X. Modeling and predicting the effect of temperature on the growth of Proteus mirabilis in chicken. J Microbiol Methods 2014; 99:38-43. [PMID: 24524853 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2014.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Revised: 01/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A predictive model to study the effect of temperature on the growth of Proteus mirabilis was developed. The growth data were collected under several isothermal conditions (8, 12, 16, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45°C) and were fitted into three primary models, namely the logistic model, the modified Gompertz model, and the Baranyi model. The statistical characteristics to evaluate the models such as R(2), mean square error, and Sawa's Bayesian information criteria (BIC) were used. Results showed that the Baranyi model performed best, followed by the logistic model and the modified Gompertz model. R(2) values for the secondary model derived from logistic, modified Gompertz, and Baranyi models were 0.965, 0.974, and 0.971, respectively. Bias factor and accuracy factor indicated that both the modified Gompertz and Baranyi models fitted the growth data better. Therefore, the Baranyi model was proposed to be the best predictive model for the growth of P. mirabilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhao
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Higher Institution Engineering Research Center of Animal Product
| | - Jingxian Gao
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Fei Chen
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Fazheng Ren
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Higher Institution Engineering Research Center of Animal Product
| | - Ruitong Dai
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Yi Liu
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Xingmin Li
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, PR China; Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
McCall J, Hidalgo G, Asadishad B, Tufenkji N. Cranberry impairs selected behaviors essential for virulence in Proteus mirabilis HI4320. Can J Microbiol 2013; 59:430-6. [PMID: 23750959 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2012-0744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is an etiological agent of complicated urinary tract infections. North American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) have long been considered to have protective properties against urinary tract infections. This work reports the effects of cranberry powder (CP) on the motility of P. mirabilis HI4320 and its expression of flaA, flhD, and ureD. Our results show that swimming and swarming motilities and swarmer-cell differentiation were inhibited by CP. Additionally, transcription of the flagellin gene flaA and of flhD, the first gene of the flagellar master operon flhDC, decreased during exposure of P. mirabilis to various concentrations of CP. Moreover, using ureD-gfp, a fusion of the urease accessory gene ureD with gfp, we show that CP inhibits urease expression. Because we demonstrate that CP does not inhibit the growth of P. mirabilis, the observed effects are not attributable to toxicity. Taken together, our results demonstrate that CP hinders motility of P. mirabilis and reduces the expression of important virulence factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer McCall
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
Aims: It is common knowledge that proteus bacteria are associated with urinary tract infections and urinary stones. Far more interesting however, is the derivation of the word proteus. This study examines the origin of the word proteus, its mythological, historical and literary connections and evolution to present-day usage. Materials and Methods: A detailed search for primary and secondary sources was undertaken using the library and internet. Results: Greek mythology describes Proteus as an early sea-god, noted for being versatile and capable of assuming many different forms. In the 8th century BC, the ancient Greek poet, Homer, famous for his epic poems the Iliad and Odyssey, describes Proteus as a prophetic old sea-god, and herdsman of the seals of Poseidon, God of the Sea. Shakespeare re-introduced Proteus into English literature, in the 15th century AD, in the comedy The Two Gentleman of Verona, as one of his main characters who is inconstant with his affections. The ‘elephant man’ was afflicted by a severely disfiguring disease, described as ‘Proteus syndrome’. It is particularly difficult to distinguish from neurofibromatosis, due to its various forms in different individuals. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word ‘protean’ as to mean changeable, variable, and existing in multiple forms. Proteus bacteria directly derive their name from the Sea God, due to their rapid swarming growth and motility on agar plates. They demonstrate versatility by secreting enzymes, which allow them to evade the host's defense systems. Conclusions: Thus proteus, true to its name, has had a myriad of connotations over the centuries.
Collapse
|
28
|
Proteus sp. – an opportunistic bacterial pathogen – classification, swarming growth, clinical significance and virulence factors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.2478/fobio-2013-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The genus Proteus belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family, where it is placed in the tribe Proteeae, together with the genera Morganella and Providencia. Currently, the genus Proteus consists of five species: P. mirabilis, P. vulgaris, P. penneri, P. hauseri and P. myxofaciens, as well as three unnamed Proteus genomospecies. The most defining characteristic of Proteus bacteria is a swarming phenomenon, a multicellular differentiation process of short rods to elongated swarmer cells. It allows population of bacteria to migrate on solid surface. Proteus bacteria inhabit the environment and are also present in the intestines of humans and animals. These microorganisms under favorable conditions cause a number of infections including urinary tract infections (UTIs), wound infections, meningitis in neonates or infants and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, Proteus is known as a bacterial opportunistic pathogen. It causes complicated UTIs with a higher frequency, compared to other uropathogens. Proteus infections are accompanied by a formation of urinary stones, containing struvite and carbonate apatite. The virulence of Proteus rods has been related to several factors including fimbriae, flagella, enzymes (urease - hydrolyzing urea to CO2 and NH3, proteases degrading antibodies, tissue matrix proteins and proteins of the complement system), iron acqusition systems and toxins: hemolysins, Proteus toxin agglutinin (Pta), as well as an endotoxin - lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Proteus rods form biofilm, particularly on the surface of urinary catheters, which can lead to serious consequences for patients. In this review we present factors involved in the regulation of swarming phenomenon, discuss the role of particular pathogenic features of Proteus spp., and characterize biofilm formation by these bacteria.
Collapse
|
29
|
Armbruster CE, Mobley HLT. Merging mythology and morphology: the multifaceted lifestyle of Proteus mirabilis. Nat Rev Microbiol 2012; 10:743-54. [PMID: 23042564 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro2890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis, named for the Greek god who changed shape to avoid capture, has fascinated microbiologists for more than a century with its unique swarming differentiation, Dienes line formation and potent urease activity. Transcriptome profiling during both host infection and swarming motility, coupled with the availability of the complete genome sequence for P. mirabilis, has revealed the occurrence of interbacterial competition and killing through a type VI secretion system, and the reciprocal regulation of adhesion and motility, as well as the intimate connections between metabolism, swarming and virulence. This Review addresses some of the unique and recently described aspects of P. mirabilis biology and pathogenesis, and emphasizes the potential role of this bacterium in single-species and polymicrobial urinary tract infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsie E Armbruster
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, 5641 Medical Science Building II, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Xue C, Budrene EO, Othmer HG. Radial and spiral stream formation in Proteus mirabilis colonies. PLoS Comput Biol 2011; 7:e1002332. [PMID: 22219724 PMCID: PMC3248392 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 11/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The enteric bacterium Proteus mirabilis, which is a pathogen that forms biofilms in vivo, can swarm over hard surfaces and form a variety of spatial patterns in colonies. Colony formation involves two distinct cell types: swarmer cells that dominate near the surface and the leading edge, and swimmer cells that prefer a less viscous medium, but the mechanisms underlying pattern formation are not understood. New experimental investigations reported here show that swimmer cells in the center of the colony stream inward toward the inoculation site and in the process form many complex patterns, including radial and spiral streams, in addition to previously-reported concentric rings. These new observations suggest that swimmers are motile and that indirect interactions between them are essential in the pattern formation. To explain these observations we develop a hybrid model comprising cell-based and continuum components that incorporates a chemotactic response of swimmers to a chemical they produce. The model predicts that formation of radial streams can be explained as the modulation of the local attractant concentration by the cells, and that the chirality of the spiral streams results from a swimming bias of the cells near the surface of the substrate. The spatial patterns generated from the model are in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations. Bacteria frequently colonize surfaces and grow as biofilm communities embedded in a gel-like polysaccharide matrix, and when this occurs on catheters, heart valves and other medical implants, it can lead to serious, hard-to-treat infections. Proteus mirabilis is an enteric bacterium that forms biofilms on urinary catheters, but in laboratory experiments it can swarm over hard surfaces and form a variety of spatial patterns. Understanding these patterns is a first step toward understanding biofilm formation, and here we describe new experimental results and mathematical models of pattern formation in Proteus. The experiments show that swimmer cells in the center of the colony stream inward toward the inoculation site and in the process form many complex patterns, including radial and spiral streams, in addition to concentric rings. To explain these observations we develop a model that incorporates a chemotactic response of swimmers to a chemical they produce. The model predicts that formation of radial streams can be explained as the modulation of the local attractant concentration by the cells, and that the chirality of the spiral streams can be predicted by incorporating a swimming bias of the cells near the surface of the substrate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Xue
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Fujihara M, Obara H, Watanabe Y, Ono HK, Sasaki J, Goryo M, Harasawa R. Acidic environments induce differentiation of Proteus mirabilis into swarmer morphotypes. Microbiol Immunol 2011; 55:489-93. [PMID: 21707738 DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2011.00345.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although swarmer morphotypes of Proteus mirabilis have long been considered to result from surfaced-induced differentiation, the present findings show that, in broth medium containing urea, acidic conditions transform some swimmer cells into elongated swarmer cells. This study has also demonstrates that P. mirabilis cells grown in acidic broth medium containing urea enhance virulence factors such as flagella production and cytotoxicity to human bladder carcinoma cell line T24, though no significant difference in urease activity under different pH conditions was found. Since there is little published data on the behavior of P. mirabilis at various hydrogen-ion concentrations, the present study may clarify aspects of cellular differentiation of P. mirabilis in patients at risk of struvite formation due to infection with urease-producing bacteria, as well as in some animals with acidic or alkaline urine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Fujihara
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Iwate, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Transcriptome of Proteus mirabilis in the murine urinary tract: virulence and nitrogen assimilation gene expression. Infect Immun 2011; 79:2619-31. [PMID: 21505083 DOI: 10.1128/iai.05152-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The enteric bacterium Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of complicated urinary tract infections. In this study, microarrays were used to analyze P. mirabilis gene expression in vivo from experimentally infected mice. Urine was collected at 1, 3, and 7 days postinfection, and RNA was isolated from bacteria in the urine for transcriptional analysis. Across nine microarrays, 471 genes were upregulated and 82 were downregulated in vivo compared to in vitro broth culture. Genes upregulated in vivo encoded mannose-resistant Proteus-like (MR/P) fimbriae, urease, iron uptake systems, amino acid and peptide transporters, pyruvate metabolism enzymes, and a portion of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes. Flagella were downregulated. Ammonia assimilation gene glnA (glutamine synthetase) was repressed in vivo, while gdhA (glutamate dehydrogenase) was upregulated in vivo. Contrary to our expectations, ammonia availability due to urease activity in P. mirabilis did not drive this gene expression. A gdhA mutant was growth deficient in minimal medium with citrate as the sole carbon source, and loss of gdhA resulted in a significant fitness defect in the mouse model of urinary tract infection. Unlike Escherichia coli, which represses gdhA and upregulates glnA in vivo and cannot utilize citrate, the data suggest that P. mirabilis uses glutamate dehydrogenase to monitor carbon-nitrogen balance, and this ability contributes to the pathogenic potential of P. mirabilis in the urinary tract.
Collapse
|
33
|
Affiliation(s)
- Karine A Gibbs
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
The urinary tract is a common site of bacterial infections; nearly half of all women experience at least one urinary tract infection (UTI) during their lifetime. These infections are classified based on the condition of the host. Uncomplicated infections affect otherwise healthy individuals and are most commonly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli, whereas complicated infections affect patients with underlying difficulties, such as a urinary tract abnormality or catheterization, and are commonly caused by species such as Proteus mirabilis. Virulence and fitness factors produced by both pathogens include fimbriae, toxins, flagella, iron acquisition systems, and proteins that function in immune evasion. Additional factors that contribute to infection include the formation of intracellular bacterial communities by E. coli and the production of urease by P. mirabilis, which can result in urinary stone formation. Innate immune responses are induced or mediated by pattern recognition receptors, antimicrobial peptides, and neutrophils. The adaptive immune response to UTI is less well understood. Host factors TLR4 and CXCR1 are implicated in disease outcome and susceptibility, respectively. Low levels of TLR4 are associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria while low levels of CXCR1 are associated with increased incidence of acute pyelonephritis. Current research is focused on the identification of additional virulence factors and therapeutic or prophylactic targets that might be used in the generation of vaccines against both uropathogens.
Collapse
|
35
|
Morgenstein RM, Szostek B, Rather PN. Regulation of gene expression during swarmer cell differentiation in Proteus mirabilis. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2010; 34:753-63. [PMID: 20497230 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2010.00229.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gram-negative bacterium Proteus mirabilis can exist in either of two cell types, a vegetative cell characterized as a short rod and a highly elongated and hyperflagellated swarmer cell. This differentiation is triggered by growth on solid surfaces and multiple inputs are sensed by the cell to initiate the differentiation process. These include the inhibition of flagellar rotation, the accumulation of extracellular putrescine and O-antigen interactions with a surface. A key event in the differentiation process is the upregulation of FlhD(2)C(2), which activates the flagellar regulon and additional genes required for differentiation. There are a number of genes that influence FlhD(2)C(2) expression and the function of these genes, if known, will be discussed in this review. Additional genes that have been shown to regulate gene expression during swarming will also be reviewed. Although P. mirabilis represents an excellent system to study microbial differentiation, it is largely understudied relative to other systems. Therefore, this review will also discuss some of the unanswered questions that are central to understanding this process in P. mirabilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Randy M Morgenstein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 3001 Rollins Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zinc uptake contributes to motility and provides a competitive advantage to Proteus mirabilis during experimental urinary tract infection. Infect Immun 2010; 78:2823-33. [PMID: 20385754 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01220-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis, a Gram-negative bacterium, represents a common cause of complicated urinary tract infections in catheterized patients or those with functional or anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract. ZnuB, the membrane component of the high-affinity zinc (Zn(2+)) transport system ZnuACB, was previously shown to be recognized by sera from infected mice. Since this system has been shown to contribute to virulence in other pathogens, its role in Proteus mirabilis was investigated by constructing a strain with an insertionally interrupted copy of znuC. The znuC::Kan mutant was more sensitive to zinc limitation than the wild type, was outcompeted by the wild type in minimal medium, displayed reduced swimming and swarming motility, and produced less flaA transcript and flagellin protein. The production of flagellin and swarming motility were restored by complementation with znuCB in trans. Swarming motility was also restored by the addition of Zn(2+) to the agar prior to inoculation; the addition of Fe(2+) to the agar also partially restored the swarming motility of the znuC::Kan strain, but the addition of Co(2+), Cu(2+), or Ni(2+) did not. ZnuC contributes to but is not required for virulence in the urinary tract; the znuC::Kan strain was outcompeted by the wild type during a cochallenge experiment but was able to colonize mice to levels similar to the wild-type level during independent challenge. Since we demonstrated a role for ZnuC in zinc transport, we hypothesize that there is limited zinc present in the urinary tract and P. mirabilis must scavenge this ion to colonize and persist in the host.
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
Swarming motility by the urinary tract pathogen Proteus mirabilis has been a long-studied but little understood phenomenon. On agar, a P. mirabilis colony grows outward in a bull's-eye pattern formed by consecutive waves of rapid swarming followed by consolidation into shorter cells. To examine differential gene expression in these growth phases, a microarray was constructed based on the completed genome sequence and annotation. RNA was extracted from broth-cultured, swarming, and consolidation-phase cells to assess transcription during each of these growth states. A total of 587 genes were differentially expressed in broth-cultured cells versus swarming cells, and 527 genes were differentially expressed in broth-cultured cells versus consolidation-phase cells (consolidate). Flagellar genes were highly upregulated in both swarming cells and consolidation-phase cells. Fimbriae were downregulated in swarming cells, while genes involved in cell division and anaerobic growth were upregulated in broth-cultured cells. Direct comparison of swarming cells to consolidation-phase cells found that 541 genes were upregulated in consolidate, but only nine genes were upregulated in swarm cells. Genes involved in flagellar biosynthesis, oligopeptide transport, amino acid import and metabolism, cell division, and phage were upregulated in consolidate. Mutation of dppA, oppB, and cysJ, upregulated during consolidation compared to during swarming, revealed that although these genes play a minor role in swarming, dppA and cysJ are required during ascending urinary tract infection. Swarming on agar to which chloramphenicol had been added suggested that protein synthesis is not required for swarming. These data suggest that the consolidation phase is a state in which P. mirabilis prepares for the next wave of swarming.
Collapse
|
38
|
Raffi HS, Bates JM, Laszik Z, Kumar S. Tamm-horsfall protein protects against urinary tract infection by proteus mirabilis. J Urol 2009; 181:2332-8. [PMID: 19303096 DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2009.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of urinary tract infection. We determined the role of Tamm-Horsfall protein as a host defense factor against the cystitis and pyelonephritis caused by P. mirabilis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We generated Tamm-Horsfall protein gene knockout mice using homologous recombination. We introduced P. mirabilis transurethrally into the bladder of Tamm-Horsfall protein deficient (THP(-/-)) and genetically similar WT (THP(+/+)) mice. We cultured urine to quantitate the degree of bacteriuria. We examined bladders and kidneys grossly and histomorphometrically to determine the intensity of inflammation. RESULTS THP(-/-) mice had more severe bacteriuria and cystitis than THP(+/+) mice. THP(-/-) mice had more pyelonephritic abscesses than THP(+/+) mice. The severity of histological pyelonephritis on semiquantitative histomorphometric analysis appeared to be greater in THP(-/-) mice. The difference between the 2 groups approached but did not attain statistical significance (p = 0.053). CONCLUSION Tamm-Horsfall protein acts as a host defense factor against P. mirabilis induced urinary tract infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hajamohideen S Raffi
- Department of Medicine/Nephrology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
The Dienes phenomenon: competition and territoriality in Swarming Proteus mirabilis. J Bacteriol 2009; 191:3892-900. [PMID: 19251852 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00975-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
When two different strains of swarming Proteus mirabilis encounter one another on an agar plate, swarming ceases and a visible line of demarcation forms. This boundary region is known as the Dienes line and is associated with the formation of rounded cells. While the Dienes line appears to be the product of distinction between self and nonself, many aspects of its formation and function are unclear. In this work, we studied Dienes line formation using clinical isolates labeled with fluorescent proteins. We show that round cells in the Dienes line originate exclusively from one of the swarms involved and that these round cells have decreased viability. In this sense one of the swarms involved is dominant over the other. Close cell proximity is required for Dienes line formation, and when strains initiate swarming in close proximity, the dominant Dienes type has a significant competitive advantage. When one strain is killed by UV irradiation, a Dienes line does not form. Killing of the dominant strain limits the induction of round cells. We suggest that both strains are actively involved in boundary formation and that round cell formation is the result of a short-range killing mechanism that mediates a competitive advantage, an advantage highly specific to the swarming state. Dienes line formation has implications for the physiology of swarming and social recognition in bacteria.
Collapse
|
40
|
|
41
|
Pearson MM, Mobley HLT. Repression of motility during fimbrial expression: identification of 14 mrpJ gene paralogues in Proteus mirabilis. Mol Microbiol 2008; 69:548-58. [PMID: 18630347 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2008.06307.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis alternates between motile and adherent forms. MrpJ, a transcriptional regulator previously reported to repress motility, is encoded at the 3' end of the mrp fimbrial operon in P. mirabilis. Sequencing of the P. mirabilis genome revealed 14 additional paralogues of mrpJ, 10 of which are associated with fimbrial operons. Twelve of these genes, when overexpressed, repressed motility; several distinct patterns of swarming motility were noted. Expression of 10 of the 14 mrpJ paralogues repressed flagellin (FlaA) synthesis. Alignment of the predicted amino acid sequences of MrpJ and its 14 paralogues revealed a conserved consensus motif (SQQQFSRYE) within the helix-turn-helix domain. Site-directed mutagenesis of these residues coupled with linker insertion mutagenesis of MrpJ confirmed the importance of this domain for repression of motility. Gel shift assays demonstrated that MrpJ and another paralogue UcaJ bind directly to the promoter region of the flagellar master regulator flhDC. Thus, P. mirabilis appears to use a related mechanism to inhibit motility during the production of at least 10 of its predicted fimbriae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie M Pearson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0620, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Complete genome sequence of uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis, a master of both adherence and motility. J Bacteriol 2008; 190:4027-37. [PMID: 18375554 PMCID: PMC2395036 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01981-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gram-negative enteric bacterium Proteus mirabilis is a frequent cause of urinary tract infections in individuals with long-term indwelling catheters or with complicated urinary tracts (e.g., due to spinal cord injury or anatomic abnormality). P. mirabilis bacteriuria may lead to acute pyelonephritis, fever, and bacteremia. Most notoriously, this pathogen uses urease to catalyze the formation of kidney and bladder stones or to encrust or obstruct indwelling urinary catheters. Here we report the complete genome sequence of P. mirabilis HI4320, a representative strain cultured in our laboratory from the urine of a nursing home patient with a long-term (> or =30 days) indwelling urinary catheter. The genome is 4.063 Mb long and has a G+C content of 38.88%. There is a single plasmid consisting of 36,289 nucleotides. Annotation of the genome identified 3,685 coding sequences and seven rRNA loci. Analysis of the sequence confirmed the presence of previously identified virulence determinants, as well as a contiguous 54-kb flagellar regulon and 17 types of fimbriae. Genes encoding a potential type III secretion system were identified on a low-G+C-content genomic island containing 24 intact genes that appear to encode all components necessary to assemble a type III secretion system needle complex. In addition, the P. mirabilis HI4320 genome possesses four tandem copies of the zapE metalloprotease gene, genes encoding six putative autotransporters, an extension of the atf fimbrial operon to six genes, including an mrpJ homolog, and genes encoding at least five iron uptake mechanisms, two potential type IV secretion systems, and 16 two-component regulators.
Collapse
|
43
|
Complicated catheter-associated urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Clin Microbiol Rev 2008; 21:26-59. [PMID: 18202436 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00019-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 477] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) represent the most common type of nosocomial infection and are a major health concern due to the complications and frequent recurrence. These infections are often caused by Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Gram-negative bacterial species that cause CAUTIs express a number of virulence factors associated with adhesion, motility, biofilm formation, immunoavoidance, and nutrient acquisition as well as factors that cause damage to the host. These infections can be reduced by limiting catheter usage and ensuring that health care professionals correctly use closed-system Foley catheters. A number of novel approaches such as condom and suprapubic catheters, intermittent catheterization, new surfaces, catheters with antimicrobial agents, and probiotics have thus far met with limited success. While the diagnosis of symptomatic versus asymptomatic CAUTIs may be a contentious issue, it is generally agreed that once a catheterized patient is believed to have a symptomatic urinary tract infection, the catheter is removed if possible due to the high rate of relapse. Research focusing on the pathogenesis of CAUTIs will lead to a better understanding of the disease process and will subsequently lead to the development of new diagnosis, prevention, and treatment options.
Collapse
|
44
|
Jacobsen SM, Lane MC, Harro JM, Shirtliff ME, Mobley HLT. The high-affinity phosphate transporter Pst is a virulence factor for Proteus mirabilis during complicated urinary tract infection. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 52:180-93. [PMID: 18194341 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2007.00358.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a ubiquitous bacterium associated with complicated urinary tract infection (UTI). Mutagenesis studies of the wild-type strain HI4320 in the CBA mouse model of ascending UTIs have identified attenuated mutants with transposon insertions in genes encoding the high-affinity phosphate transporter Pst (pstS, pstA). The transcription of the pst operon (pstSCAB-phoU) and other members of the phosphate regulon of Escherichia coli, including alkaline phosphatase (AP), are regulated by the two-component regulatory system PhoBR and are repressed until times of phosphate starvation. This normal suppression was relieved in pstS::Tn5 and pstA::Tn5 mutants, which constitutively produced AP regardless of growth conditions. No significant growth defects were observed in vitro for the pst mutants during the independent culture or coculture studies in rich broth, phosphate-limiting minimal salts medium, or human urine. Mutants complemented with the complete pst operon repressed AP synthesis in vitro and colonized the mouse bladder in numbers comparable to the wild-type strain HI4320. Therefore, the Pst transport system imparts a significant in vivo advantage to wild-type P. mirabilis that is not required for in vitro growth. Thus, the Pst transporter has satisfied molecular Koch's postulates as a virulence factor in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection caused by P. mirabilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Jacobsen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Yerly J, Hu Y, Jones SM, Martinuzzi RJ. A two-step procedure for automatic and accurate segmentation of volumetric CLSM biofilm images. J Microbiol Methods 2007; 70:424-33. [PMID: 17618700 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2007.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2007] [Revised: 05/28/2007] [Accepted: 05/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a robust two-step segmentation procedure for the study of biofilm structure. Without user intervention, the procedure segments volumetric biofilm images generated by a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). This automated procedure implements an anisotropic diffusion filter as a preprocessing step and a 3D extension of the Otsu method for thresholding. Applying the anisotropic diffusion filter to even low-contrast CLSM images significantly improves the segmentation obtained with the 3D Otsu method. A comparison of the results for several CLSM data sets demonstrated that the accuracy of this procedure, unlike that of the objective threshold selection algorithm (OTS), is not affected by biofilm coverage levels and thus fills an important gap in developing a robust and objective segmenting procedure. The effectiveness of the present segmentation procedure is shown for CLSM images containing different bacterial strains. The image saturation handling capability of this procedure relaxes the constraints on user-selected gain and intensity settings of a CLSM. Therefore, this two-step procedure provides an automatic and accurate segmentation of biofilms that is independent of biofilm coverage levels and, in turn, lays a solid foundation for achieving objective analysis of biofilm structural parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Yerly
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Choi KH, Schweizer HP. mini-Tn7 insertion in bacteria with secondary, non-glmS-linked attTn7 sites: example Proteus mirabilis HI4320. Nat Protoc 2007; 1:170-8. [PMID: 17406229 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2006.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We previously constructed a series of mini-Tn7 chromosome integration vectors that, when provided only with the site-specific transposition machinery, generally transpose to a naturally evolved, neutral attTn7 site that is located 25-bp downstream of the glmS gene. Here we provide a protocol for application of the mini-Tn7 system in Proteus mirabilis as an example of a bacterium with a secondary attTn7 site that is not linked to glmS but, in this case, located in the carAB operon. The procedure involves, first, cloning of the genes of interest into an appropriate mini-Tn7 vector; second, co-transfer of the recombinant mini-Tn7 vector and a helper plasmid encoding the Tn7 site-specific transposition pathway into P. mirabilis by transformation, followed by selection of insertion-containing strains; third, PCR verification of mini-Tn7 insertions; and last, optional Flp-mediated excision of the antibiotic-resistance selection marker present on the chromosomally integrated mini-Tn7 element. When transposon-containing cells are selected on rich medium, insertions occur at both attTn7 sites with equal efficiency and frequency. Because carA mutants are arginine and pyrimidine auxotrophs, single-site insertions at the glmS attTn7 sites can be obtained by selection on minimal medium. From start to verification of the insertion events, the whole procedure takes 5 d. This chromosome integration system in P. mirabilis provides an important tool for animal and biofilm studies based on this bacterium. Vectors are available for gene complementation and expression, gene fusion analyses and tagging with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-encoding reporter gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Hee Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1682, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Lahaye E, Aubry T, Fleury V, Sire O. Does water activity rule P. mirabilis periodic swarming? II. Viscoelasticity and water balance during swarming. Biomacromolecules 2007; 8:1228-35. [PMID: 17355121 DOI: 10.1021/bm070115w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Following the analysis of the biochemical and functional properties of the P. mirabilis extra cellular matrix performed in the first part of this study, the viscoelasticity of an actively growing colony was investigated in relation to water activity. The results demonstrate that the P. mirabilis colony exhibits a marked viscoelastic character likely due to both cell rafts and exoproduct H-bond networks. Besides, the water loss by evaporation during migration has been measured, whereas the experimental determination of the water diffusion coefficient in agar has allowed us to estimate the net water influx at the agar/colony interface. These data drive us to propose that a periodic increase of the water activity at the colony's periphery, mainly due to the drastic surface to volume ratio increase associated with swarming, causes the periodic and synchronous cessation of migration through the dissociation of exoproduct networks, which in turn strongly alters the matrix viscoelasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Lahaye
- Laboratoire des Polymères, Propriétés aux Interfaces et Composites, Université de Bretagne-Sud, Campus de Tohannic, BP573 56017 Vannes Cedex, France
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Jones SM, Yerly J, Hu Y, Ceri H, Martinuzzi R. Structure of Proteus mirabilis biofilms grown in artificial urine and standard laboratory media. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2007; 268:16-21. [PMID: 17250761 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00587.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a urinary pathogen that can differentiate from a swimmer cell into a swarmer cell morphotype and can form biofilms on the surfaces of urinary catheters. These biofilms block these catheters due to crystals trapped within these structures. The effect of encrustation on biofilm formation and structure has not been studied using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Therefore, a comparison of biofilm structure in artificial urine (AU) and laboratory media was undertaken. We compared the structure of P. mirabilis biofilms in AU and Luria-Bertani broth using CSLM and 3D imaging. Biofilms grown in Luria-Bertani broth formed mushroom structures at 24 h and contained nutrient channels. AU biofilms were observed to form a different structure at 24 h. AU biofilm structure was observed to be a flat layer, almost devoid of nutrient channels. Swarmer cells were observed protruding out of the biofilm into the bulk fluid. This could be due to nutrient depravation within the biofilm or a means of further colonizing the surface. This study has demonstrated that two markedly different biofilm structures are formed, depending on the growth media utilized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Jones
- Calgary Centre for Innovation and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Sosa V, Schlapp G, Zunino P. Proteus mirabilis isolates of different origins do not show correlation with virulence attributes and can colonize the urinary tract of mice. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2006; 152:2149-2157. [PMID: 16804188 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.28846-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis has been described as an aetiological agent in a wide range of infections, playing an important role in urinary tract infections (UTIs). In this study, a collection of P. mirabilis isolates obtained from clinical and non-clinical sources was analysed in order to determine a possible correlation between origin, virulence factors and in vivo infectivity. Isolates were characterized in vitro, assessing several virulence properties that had been previously associated with P. mirabilis uropathogenicity. Swarming motility, urease production, growth in urine, outer-membrane protein patterns, ability to grow in the presence of different iron sources, haemolysin and haemagglutinin production, and the presence and expression of diverse fimbrial genes, were analysed. In order to evaluate the infectivity of the different isolates, the experimental ascending UTI model in mice was used. Additionally, the Dienes test and the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR assay were performed to assess the genetic diversity of the isolates. The results of the present study did not show any correlation between distribution of the diverse potential urovirulence factors and isolate source. No significant correlation was observed between infectivity and the origin of the isolates, since they all similarly colonized the urinary tract of the challenged mice. Finally, all isolates showed unique ERIC-PCR patterns, indicating that the isolates were genetically diverse. The results obtained in this study suggest that the source of P. mirabilis strains cannot be correlated with pathogenic attributes, and that the distribution of virulence factors between isolates of different origins may correspond to the opportunistic nature of the organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Sosa
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Geraldine Schlapp
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Jones BV, Mahenthiralingam E, Sabbuba NA, Stickler DJ. Role of swarming in the formation of crystalline Proteus mirabilis biofilms on urinary catheters. J Med Microbiol 2005; 54:807-813. [PMID: 16091430 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.46123-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The care of many patients undergoing long-term bladder catheterization is frequently complicated by infection with Proteus mirabilis. These organisms colonize the catheter, forming surface biofilm communities, and their urease activity generates alkaline conditions under which crystals of magnesium ammonium phosphate and calcium phosphate are formed and become trapped in the biofilm. As the biofilm develops it obstructs the flow of urine through the catheter, causing either incontinence due to leakage of urine around the catheter or retention of urine in the bladder. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the surface-associated swarming motility of P. mirabilis in the initiation and development of these crystalline catheter biofilms. A set of stable transposon mutants with a range of swimming and swarming abilities were tested for their ability to colonize silicone surfaces in a parallel-plate flow cell. A laboratory model of the catheterized bladder was then used to examine their ability to form crystalline, catheter-blocking biofilms. The results showed that neither swarming nor swimming motility was required for the attachment of P. mirabilis to silicone. Mutants deficient in swarming and swimming were also capable of forming crystalline biofilms and blocking catheters more rapidly than the wild-type strain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian V Jones
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | | | - N A Sabbuba
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - D J Stickler
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| |
Collapse
|