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Ali HR, Collier P, Bayston R. A Three-Dimensional Model of Bacterial Biofilms and Its Use in Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Microorganisms 2024; 12:203. [PMID: 38276189 PMCID: PMC10818914 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The discrepant antimicrobial susceptibility between planktonic and biofilm bacterial modes poses a problem for clinical microbiology laboratories and necessitates a relevant 3D experimental model allowing bacteria to grow in biofilm mode, in vitro, for use in anti-biofilm susceptibility testing. (2) Methods: This work develops a 3D biofilm model consisting of alginate beads containing S. aureus biofilm and encased within two thick layers of alginate matrix. The constructed model was placed on a thin Boyden chamber insert suspended on a 24-well culture plate containing the culture medium. The antibacterial activity of bacitracin and chlorhexidine digluconate (CD), either combined or separately, against 2D S. aureus culture was compared to that in the 3D biofilm model. Quantitative analysis and imaging analysis were performed by assessing the bacterial load within the matrix as well as measuring the optical density of the culture medium nourishing the matrix. (3) Results: The 3D biofilm model represented the typical complex characteristics of biofilm with greater insusceptibility to the tested antimicrobials than the 2D culture. Only bacitracin and CD in combination at 100× the concentration found to be successful against 2D culture were able to completely eliminate the 3D biofilm matrix. (4) Conclusions: The 3D biofilm model, designed to be more clinically relevant, exhibits higher antimicrobial insusceptibility than the 2D culture, demonstrating that the model might be useful for testing and discovering new antimicrobial therapies. The data also support the view that combination therapy might be the optimal approach to combat biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala R. Ali
- Unit of Injury, Inflammation and Recovery Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK;
- Bacteriology Department, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Centre (ARC), Dokki, Giza 12618, Egypt
| | - Pamela Collier
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Queen’s Medical Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK;
| | - Roger Bayston
- Unit of Injury, Inflammation and Recovery Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK;
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Liu Y, McQuillen EA, Rana PSJB, Gloag ES, Parsek MR, Wozniak DJ. A bacterial pigment provides cross-species protection from H 2O 2- and neutrophil-mediated killing. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312334121. [PMID: 38170744 PMCID: PMC10786307 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312334121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infections are often polymicrobial. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus cause chronic co-infections, which are more problematic than mono-species infections. Understanding the mechanisms of their interactions is crucial for treating co-infections. Staphyloxanthin (STX), a yellow pigment synthesized by the S. aureus crt operon, promotes S. aureus resistance to oxidative stress and neutrophil-mediated killing. We found that STX production by S. aureus, either as surface-grown macrocolonies or planktonic cultures, was elevated when exposed to the P. aeruginosa exoproduct, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO). This was observed with both mucoid and non-mucoid P. aeruginosa strains. The induction phenotype was found in a majority of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus clinical isolates examined. When subjected to hydrogen peroxide or human neutrophils, P. aeruginosa survival was significantly higher when mixed with wild-type (WT) S. aureus, compared to P. aeruginosa alone or with an S. aureus crt mutant deficient in STX production. In a murine wound model, co-infection with WT S. aureus, but not the STX-deficient mutant, enhanced P. aeruginosa burden and disease compared to mono-infection. In conclusion, we identified a role for P. aeruginosa HQNO mediating polymicrobial interactions with S. aureus by inducing STX production, which consequently promotes resistance to the innate immune effectors H2O2 and neutrophils. These results further our understanding of how different bacterial species cooperatively cause co-infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH43210
| | - Eleanor A. McQuillen
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH43210
| | - Pranav S. J. B. Rana
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH43210
| | - Erin S. Gloag
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH43210
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24060
| | - Matthew R. Parsek
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA98195
| | - Daniel J. Wozniak
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH43210
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH43210
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Youn C, Pontaza C, Wang Y, Dikeman DA, Joyce DP, Alphonse MP, Wu MJ, Nolan SJ, Anany MA, Ahmadi M, Young J, Tocaj A, Garza LA, Wajant H, Miller LS, Archer NK. Neutrophil-intrinsic TNF receptor signaling orchestrates host defense against Staphylococcus aureus. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf8748. [PMID: 37327341 PMCID: PMC10275602 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf8748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections and is a major health burden due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. To address the unmet need of alternative treatments to antibiotics, a better understanding of the protective immune mechanisms against S. aureus skin infection is warranted. Here, we report that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) promoted protection against S. aureus in the skin, which was mediated by bone marrow-derived immune cells. Furthermore, neutrophil-intrinsic TNF receptor (TNFR) signaling directed immunity against S. aureus skin infections. Mechanistically, TNFR1 promoted neutrophil recruitment to the skin, whereas TNFR2 prevented systemic bacterial dissemination and directed neutrophil antimicrobial functions. Treatment with a TNFR2 agonist showed therapeutic efficacy against S. aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa skin infections, which involved increased neutrophil extracellular trap formation. Our findings revealed nonredundant roles for TNFR1 and TNFR2 in neutrophils for immunity against S. aureus and can be therapeutically targeted for protection against bacterial skin infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Youn
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Cristina Pontaza
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Dustin A. Dikeman
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Daniel P. Joyce
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Martin P. Alphonse
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Meng-Jen Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Sabrina J. Nolan
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Mohamed A. Anany
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, National Research Center, El Buhouth Street, Dokki, 12622 Giza, Egypt
| | - Michael Ahmadi
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jeremy Young
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Aron Tocaj
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Luis A. Garza
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Harald Wajant
- Division of Molecular Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg 97080, Germany
| | - Lloyd S. Miller
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Nathan K. Archer
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Liu Y, McQuillen EA, Rana PSJB, Gloag ES, Wozniak DJ. Cross-Species Protection to Innate Immunity Mediated by A Bacterial Pigment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.15.524085. [PMID: 36711503 PMCID: PMC9882196 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.15.524085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial infections are often polymicrobial. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus cause chronic co-infections, which are more problematic than mono-species infections. We found that the production of S. aureus membrane-bound pigment staphyloxanthin (STX), was induced by the P. aeruginosa exoproduct, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO). The induction phenotype was conserved in P. aeruginosa and S. aureus clinical isolates examined. When subjected to hydrogen peroxide or human neutrophils, P. aeruginosa survival was significantly higher when mixed with wild-type (WT) S. aureus , compared to a mutant deficient in STX production or P. aeruginosa alone. In a murine wound model, co-infection with WT S. aureus , but not the STX-deficient mutant, enhanced P. aeruginosa burden and disease compared to mono-infection. In conclusion, we discovered a novel role for P. aeruginosa HQNO mediating polymicrobial interactions with S. aureus by inducing STX production, which consequently promotes resistance of both pathogens to innate immune effectors. These results further our understanding of how different bacterial species cooperatively cause co-infections.
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Kwiecinski JM, Jacobsson G, Horswill AR, Josefsson E, Jin T. Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates correlates with the infection type. Infect Dis (Lond) 2019. [PMID: 30985241 DOI: 10.1080/2374423520191593499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biofilms are involved in many Staphylococcus aureus infections, but relation of biofilm formation and the infection types or the clinical outcomes remain unclear. METHODS We measured biofilm formation, with a microtiter plate assay, of a collection of methicillin-sensitive clinical isolates from 159 invasive S. aureus infections, encompassing all cases occurring within a hospital catchment area during two years, and from additional 49 non-invasive skin infections from the same region. Results were related to available clinical and microbiological documentation. RESULTS Isolates from medical device infections (intravenous line-associated and prosthetic joint infections), as well as isolates from superficial skin infections, were particularly proficient in forming biofilms. No increased biofilm-forming capacity was seen in isolates from endocarditis, osteomyelitis, or other infections. There was also a correlation of biofilm formation with the agr type of the isolates. Thicker biofilms were more resistant to antibiotic treatment in vitro. No correlation between biofilm formation and clinical outcomes was noted. CONCLUSIONS S. aureus isolates from 'classical' biofilm-related infections, but also from superficial skin infections, are especially proficient in forming biofilms. There is, however, no obvious relation of biofilm-forming capacity of isolates and the clinical outcome of the infection, and more studies on this issue are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub M Kwiecinski
- a Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research , Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.,b Department of Immunology and Microbiology , University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora , CO , USA
| | - Gunnar Jacobsson
- c Department of Infectious Diseases , Skaraborg Hospital , Skövde , Sweden
| | - Alexander R Horswill
- b Department of Immunology and Microbiology , University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora , CO , USA.,d Department of Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Healthcare System , Denver , CO , USA
| | - Elisabet Josefsson
- a Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research , Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden
| | - Tao Jin
- a Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research , Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.,e Department of Rheumatology , Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden
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Kwiecinski JM, Jacobsson G, Horswill AR, Josefsson E, Jin T. Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates correlates with the infection type. Infect Dis (Lond) 2019; 51:446-451. [PMID: 30985241 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2019.1593499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biofilms are involved in many Staphylococcus aureus infections, but relation of biofilm formation and the infection types or the clinical outcomes remain unclear. METHODS We measured biofilm formation, with a microtiter plate assay, of a collection of methicillin-sensitive clinical isolates from 159 invasive S. aureus infections, encompassing all cases occurring within a hospital catchment area during two years, and from additional 49 non-invasive skin infections from the same region. Results were related to available clinical and microbiological documentation. RESULTS Isolates from medical device infections (intravenous line-associated and prosthetic joint infections), as well as isolates from superficial skin infections, were particularly proficient in forming biofilms. No increased biofilm-forming capacity was seen in isolates from endocarditis, osteomyelitis, or other infections. There was also a correlation of biofilm formation with the agr type of the isolates. Thicker biofilms were more resistant to antibiotic treatment in vitro. No correlation between biofilm formation and clinical outcomes was noted. CONCLUSIONS S. aureus isolates from 'classical' biofilm-related infections, but also from superficial skin infections, are especially proficient in forming biofilms. There is, however, no obvious relation of biofilm-forming capacity of isolates and the clinical outcome of the infection, and more studies on this issue are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub M Kwiecinski
- a Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research , Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.,b Department of Immunology and Microbiology , University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora , CO , USA
| | - Gunnar Jacobsson
- c Department of Infectious Diseases , Skaraborg Hospital , Skövde , Sweden
| | - Alexander R Horswill
- b Department of Immunology and Microbiology , University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora , CO , USA.,d Department of Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Healthcare System , Denver , CO , USA
| | - Elisabet Josefsson
- a Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research , Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden
| | - Tao Jin
- a Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research , Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.,e Department of Rheumatology , Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden
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McIver CJ, Tjandra FA, Er N, Taylor PC. A novel quantitative PCR assay for testing bacteria directly from plate cultures using SYBR Green technology. Pathology 2017; 49:658-660. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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