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Castagnini D, Palma K, Jara-Wilde J, Navarro N, González MJ, Toledo J, Canales-Huerta N, Scavone P, Härtel S. Proteus mirabilis biofilm expansion microscopy yields over 4-fold magnification for super-resolution of biofilm structure and subcellular DNA organization. J Microbiol Methods 2024; 220:106927. [PMID: 38561125 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2024.106927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms form when bacteria attach to surfaces and generate an extracellular matrix that embeds and stabilizes a growing community. Detailed visualization and quantitative analysis of biofilm architecture by optical microscopy are limited by the law of diffraction. Expansion Microscopy (ExM) is a novel Super-Resolution technique where specimens are physically enlarged by a factor of ∼4, prior to observation by conventional fluorescence microscopy. ExM requires homogenization of rigid constituents of biological components by enzymatic digestion. We developed an ExM approach capable of expanding 48-h old Proteus mirabilis biofilms 4.3-fold (termed PmbExM), close to the theoretic maximum expansion factor without gross shape distortions. Our protocol, based on lytic and glycoside-hydrolase enzymatic treatments, degrades rigid components in bacteria and extracellular matrix. Our results prove PmbExM to be a versatile and easy-to-use Super-Resolution approach for enabling studies of P. mirabilis biofilm architecture, assembly, and even intracellular features, such as DNA organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dante Castagnini
- Laboratory for Scientific Image Analysis SCIAN-Lab, Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karina Palma
- Laboratory for Scientific Image Analysis SCIAN-Lab, Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Independencia, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Informática Médica y Telemedicina CIMT, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge Jara-Wilde
- Laboratory for Scientific Image Analysis SCIAN-Lab, Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Independencia, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Informática Médica y Telemedicina CIMT, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicolás Navarro
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases ACCDiS, Santiago, Chile.; Laboratorio de Biofilms Microbianos, Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María José González
- Laboratorio de Biofilms Microbianos, Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Jorge Toledo
- Red de Equipamiento Científico Avanzado REDECA, Institute of Biomedical Sciences ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicole Canales-Huerta
- Laboratory for Scientific Image Analysis SCIAN-Lab, Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paola Scavone
- Laboratorio de Biofilms Microbianos, Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Steffen Härtel
- Laboratory for Scientific Image Analysis SCIAN-Lab, Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Independencia, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Informática Médica y Telemedicina CIMT, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; National Center for Health Information Systems CENS, Santiago, Chile.; Red de Equipamiento Científico Avanzado REDECA, Institute of Biomedical Sciences ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Modelamiento Matemático, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Casilla 170-3, Santiago, Chile.
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2
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
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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.
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Jorge EC, Martínez NN, González MJ, Sánchez SV, Robino L, Morales JO, Scavone P. Gold-, silver- and magnesium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles prevents the formation of and eradicates bacterial biofilms. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2023. [PMID: 37254888 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2022-0239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: This work aimed to synthesize magnesium-doped zinc oxide, silver and gold nanoparticles (Nps) and to evaluate their potential to prevent and eradicate Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Materials & methods: The Nps were synthesized by precipitation and metallic reduction techniques. Physicochemical and biological characterization of Nps was performed. Results: All the Nps tested were able to inhibit the formation of E. coli, P. mirabilis, S. aureus and A. baumannii biofilms. The effects on the eradication of preformed biofilms were variable, although all the Nps tested were able to eradicate A. baumannii biofilms. Conclusion: The observed effects make the Nps suitable for coating surfaces and/or antibiotic carriers with medical interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erlen Cruz Jorge
- Departamento de Microbiología, Laboratorio de Biofilms Microbianos, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318 PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nicolás Navarro Martínez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Laboratorio de Biofilms Microbianos, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318 PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, PC 8380000, PC Santiago, Chile
- Center of New Drugs for Hypertension (CENDHY), Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, PC 8380000, Santiago, Chile
| | - María José González
- Departamento de Microbiología, Laboratorio de Biofilms Microbianos, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318 PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sofía V Sánchez
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, PC 8380000, PC Santiago, Chile
- Center of New Drugs for Hypertension (CENDHY), Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, PC 8380000, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias y Tecnologías Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, PC 8380000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luciana Robino
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del República, Alfredo Navarro 3051, PC 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Javier O Morales
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, PC 8380000, PC Santiago, Chile
- Center of New Drugs for Hypertension (CENDHY), Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, PC 8380000, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias y Tecnologías Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, PC 8380000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Laboratorio de Biofilms Microbianos, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318 PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Iribarnegaray V, González MJ, Caetano AL, Platero R, Zunino P, Scavone P. Relevance of iron metabolic genes in biofilm and infection in uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis. Curr Res Microb Sci 2021; 2:100060. [PMID: 34841350 PMCID: PMC8610330 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2021.100060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The microorganisms are found in the environment, forming sessile communities embedded in an extracellular matrix of their own production, called biofilm. These communities have a great relevance in the clinical context, since they are associated with infections caused by biofilm in medical implants, such as urinary catheters. The development of biofilms is a complex process where a great diversity of genes participate. The present work is based on the study of genes related to iron metabolism and its implication in the development of P. mirabilis biofilms and pathogenicity. For this study, two mutant strains defective in biofilm formation were selected, generated by the interruption of genes that encoded non-heme ferritin and TonB-dependent receptor. The mutations influence on the development of the biofilm was evaluated by different approaches. The complexity of the biofilm was analyzed using Confocal Laser Microscopy and image analysis. The mutants infectivity potential was assessed in two experimental mice models of urinary tract infection. The results obtained in the present work show us the role of the ferritin and a TonB-associated porin protein over the initial and later stages of biofilm development. Moreover, in the ascending UTI mouse model, both mutants failed to colonize the urinary tract. In CAUTI models, ferritin mutant damaged the bladder similarly to wild type but the Ton-B mutant was unable to generate infection in the urinary tract. The results obtained in the present work confirm the relevant role that iron metabolism genes have in P. mirabilis biofilm development and for infection in the urinary tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Iribarnegaray
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo CP 11600, Uruguay
- Department of Pathobiology, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Alberto Lasplaces 1620, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - MJ González
- Laboratory of Microbial Biofilms, Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo CP 11600, Uruguay
| | - AL Caetano
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo CP 11600, Uruguay
| | - R Platero
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbial Genomics, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo CP 11600, Uruguay
| | - P Zunino
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo CP 11600, Uruguay
| | - P Scavone
- Laboratory of Microbial Biofilms, Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo CP 11600, Uruguay
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5
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Holá V, Opazo-Capurro A, Scavone P. Editorial: The Biofilm Lifestyle of Uropathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:763415. [PMID: 34604120 PMCID: PMC8486040 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.763415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Holá
- Microbiological Institute, Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University and St. Anne´s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Andrés Opazo-Capurro
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Agentes Antibacterianos (LIAA), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.,Millennium Nucleus for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Paola Scavone
- Laboratory of Microbial Biofilms, Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Mónaco A, Canales-Huerta N, Jara-Wilde J, Härtel S, Chabalgoity JA, Moreno M, Scavone P. Salmonella Typhimurium Triggers Extracellular Traps Release in Murine Macrophages. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:639768. [PMID: 33981627 PMCID: PMC8107695 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.639768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella comprises two species and more than 2500 serovars with marked differences in host specificity, and is responsible for a wide spectrum of diseases, ranging from localized gastroenteritis to severe life-threatening invasive disease. The initiation of the host inflammatory response, triggered by many Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) that Salmonella possesses, recruits innate immune cells in order to restrain the infection at the local site. Neutrophils are known for killing bacteria through oxidative burst, amid other mechanisms. Amongst those mechanisms for controlling bacteria, the release of Extracellular Traps (ETs) represents a newly described pathway of programmed cell death known as ETosis. Particularly, Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) were first described in 2004 and since then, a number of reports have demonstrated their role as a novel defense mechanism against different pathogens. This released net-like material is composed of cellular DNA decorated with histones and cellular proteins. These structures have shown ability to trap, neutralize and kill different kinds of microorganisms, ranging from viruses and bacteria to fungi and parasites. Salmonella was one of the first microorganisms that were reported to be killed by NETs and several studies have confirmed the observation and deepened into its variants. Nevertheless, much less is known about their counterparts in other immune cells, e.g. Macrophage Extracellular Traps (METs) and Salmonella-induced MET release has never been reported so far. In this work, we observed the production of METs induced by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and recorded their effect on bacteria, showing for the first time that macrophages can also release extracellular DNA traps upon encounter with Salmonella Typhimurium. Additionally we show that METs effectively immobilize and reduce Salmonella survival in a few minutes, suggesting METs as a novel immune-mediated defense mechanism against Salmonella infection. Of note, this phenomenon was confirmed in primary macrophages, since MET release was also observed in bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with Salmonella. The evidence of this peculiar mechanism provides new incipient insights into macrophages´ role against Salmonella infection and can help to design new strategies for the clinical control of this transcendental pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Mónaco
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nicole Canales-Huerta
- Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes Científicas SCIAN-Lab, Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.,Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Jorge Jara-Wilde
- Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes Científicas SCIAN-Lab, Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.,Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Steffen Härtel
- Laboratorio de Análisis de Imágenes Científicas SCIAN-Lab, Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences ICBM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.,Biomedical Neuroscience Institute BNI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.,Centro de Informática Médica y Telemedicina CIMT, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.,National Center for Health Information Systems CENS, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Jose Alejandro Chabalgoity
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Moreno
- Departamento de Desarrollo Biotecnológico, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
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7
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González MJ, Zunino P, Scavone P, Robino L. Selection of Effective Antibiotics for Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Intracellular Bacteria Reduction. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:542755. [PMID: 33194792 PMCID: PMC7609437 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.542755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most frequent bacterial infections in humans, being Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the most common etiological agent. The ability of UPEC to invade urothelial cells and to form intracellular bacterial communities (IBC) has been described. Therefore, UPEC can persist in the urinary tract producing recurrent infections, resisting antibiotic activity. The objective of the present work was to analyze the ability of a collection of UPEC clinical isolates to invade bladder epithelial cells in vitro and the activity of different classes of antibiotics on intracellular bacteria. We selected 23 UPEC clinical isolates that had been previously detected intracellularly in desquamated bladder epithelial cells from patients' urine. A cellular invasion assay using the T24 bladder cell line was used. Intracellular bacteria was confirmed by laser confocal microscopy. All the strains were able to invade the cells with different percentages of intracellular bacterial survival (0.7 to 18%). However, no significant relationship was found between the percentage of in vitro infection and the presence of IBC in desquamated urine cells. In vitro, intracellular bacteria were confirmed in four representative strains by confocal laser microscopy. Ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and, azithromycin in vitro activity on intracellular bacteria were evaluated. Amikacin was used as a negative control. All the antibiotics tested, except amikacin, significantly decreased the number of intracellular bacteria. Ciprofloxacin was the antibiotic that induced the highest decrease percentage. Conclusions: All UPEC clinical isolates could invade bladder epithelial cells in vitro. Ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin can reduce the percentage of intracellular bacteria in vitro. In vivo studies are needed to confirm the utility of these antibiotics for intracellular bacteria reduction in UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José González
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Luciana Robino
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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McGenity TJ, Gessesse A, Hallsworth JE, Garcia Cela E, Verheecke‐Vaessen C, Wang F, Chavarría M, Haggblom MM, Molin S, Danchin A, Smid EJ, Lood C, Cockell CS, Whitby C, Liu S, Keller NP, Stein LY, Bordenstein SR, Lal R, Nunes OC, Gram L, Singh BK, Webster NS, Morris C, Sivinski S, Bindschedler S, Junier P, Antunes A, Baxter BK, Scavone P, Timmis K. Visualizing the invisible: class excursions to ignite children's enthusiasm for microbes. Microb Biotechnol 2020; 13:844-887. [PMID: 32406115 PMCID: PMC7264897 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently argued that, because microbes have pervasive - often vital - influences on our lives, and that therefore their roles must be taken into account in many of the decisions we face, society must become microbiology-literate, through the introduction of relevant microbiology topics in school curricula (Timmis et al. 2019. Environ Microbiol 21: 1513-1528). The current coronavirus pandemic is a stark example of why microbiology literacy is such a crucial enabler of informed policy decisions, particularly those involving preparedness of public-health systems for disease outbreaks and pandemics. However, a significant barrier to attaining widespread appreciation of microbial contributions to our well-being and that of the planet is the fact that microbes are seldom visible: most people are only peripherally aware of them, except when they fall ill with an infection. And it is disease, rather than all of the positive activities mediated by microbes, that colours public perception of 'germs' and endows them with their poor image. It is imperative to render microbes visible, to give them life and form for children (and adults), and to counter prevalent misconceptions, through exposure to imagination-capturing images of microbes and examples of their beneficial outputs, accompanied by a balanced narrative. This will engender automatic mental associations between everyday information inputs, as well as visual, olfactory and tactile experiences, on the one hand, and the responsible microbes/microbial communities, on the other hand. Such associations, in turn, will promote awareness of microbes and of the many positive and vital consequences of their actions, and facilitate and encourage incorporation of such consequences into relevant decision-making processes. While teaching microbiology topics in primary and secondary school is key to this objective, a strategic programme to expose children directly and personally to natural and managed microbial processes, and the results of their actions, through carefully planned class excursions to local venues, can be instrumental in bringing microbes to life for children and, collaterally, their families. In order to encourage the embedding of microbiology-centric class excursions in current curricula, we suggest and illustrate here some possibilities relating to the topics of food (a favourite pre-occupation of most children), agriculture (together with horticulture and aquaculture), health and medicine, the environment and biotechnology. And, although not all of the microbially relevant infrastructure will be within reach of schools, there is usually access to a market, local food store, wastewater treatment plant, farm, surface water body, etc., all of which can provide opportunities to explore microbiology in action. If children sometimes consider the present to be mundane, even boring, they are usually excited with both the past and the future so, where possible, visits to local museums (the past) and research institutions advancing knowledge frontiers (the future) are strongly recommended, as is a tapping into the natural enthusiasm of local researchers to leverage the educational value of excursions and virtual excursions. Children are also fascinated by the unknown, so, paradoxically, the invisibility of microbes makes them especially fascinating objects for visualization and exploration. In outlining some of the options for microbiology excursions, providing suggestions for discussion topics and considering their educational value, we strive to extend the vistas of current class excursions and to: (i) inspire teachers and school managers to incorporate more microbiology excursions into curricula; (ii) encourage microbiologists to support school excursions and generally get involved in bringing microbes to life for children; (iii) urge leaders of organizations (biopharma, food industries, universities, etc.) to give school outreach activities a more prominent place in their mission portfolios, and (iv) convey to policymakers the benefits of providing schools with funds, materials and flexibility for educational endeavours beyond the classroom.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amare Gessesse
- Department of Biological Sciences and BiotechnologyBotswana International University of Science and TechnologyPalapyeBotswana
| | - John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food SecuritySchool of Biological SciencesQueen’s University BelfastBelfastUK
| | | | | | - Fengping Wang
- School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Max Chavarría
- Escuela de QuímicaCentro de Investigaciones en Productos Naturales (CIPRONA)Universidad de Costa RicaSan JoséCosta Rica
- Centro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas (CENIBiot)CeNAT-CONARESan JoséCosta Rica
| | - Max M. Haggblom
- Department of Biochemistry and MicrobiologyRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNJUSA
| | - Søren Molin
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of DenmarkLyngbyDenmark
| | - Antoine Danchin
- Institut Cochin24 rue du Faubourg Saint‐Jacques75014ParisFrance
| | - Eddy J. Smid
- Food MicrobiologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Cédric Lood
- Department of Microbial and Molecular SystemsCentre of Microbial and Plant GeneticsLaboratory of Computational Systems BiologyKU Leuven3001LeuvenBelgium
- Department of BiosystemsLaboratory of Gene TechnologyKU Leuven3001LeuvenBelgium
| | | | | | | | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWIUSA
| | - Lisa Y. Stein
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Seth R. Bordenstein
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt Microbiome InitiativeVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Rup Lal
- The Energy and Resources InstituteLodhi RoadNew Delhi110003India
| | - Olga C. Nunes
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of Porto4200‐465PortoPortugal
| | - Lone Gram
- Department of Biotechnology and BiomedicineTechnical University of DenmarkLyngbyDenmark
| | - Brajesh K. Singh
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentUniversity of Western SydneyPenrithAustralia
| | - Nicole S. Webster
- Australian Institute of Marine ScienceTownsvilleQLDAustralia
- Australian Centre for EcogenomicsUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | | | | | | | - Pilar Junier
- Institute of BiologyUniversity of NeuchâtelNeuchâtelSwitzerland
| | - André Antunes
- State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary SciencesMacau University of Science and Technology (MUST)Taipa, Macau SARChina
| | - Bonnie K. Baxter
- Great Salt Lake InstituteWestminster CollegeSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Paola Scavone
- Department of MicrobiologyInstituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente EstableMontevideoUruguay
| | - Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of MicrobiologyTechnical University of BraunschweigBraunschweigGermany
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9
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Scavone P, Carrasco V, Umpiérrez A, Morel M, Arredondo D, Amarelle V. Microbiology can be comic. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2020; 366:5542196. [PMID: 31365071 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnz171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
For microbiologists, the importance of microorganisms in our daily lives and their impact on our well-being is evident. However, microbiology literacy in our society is far from being enough for individuals to make informed choices and to demand actions based on that information. The vaccine hesitation movement and the alarming increase in antimicrobial resistance due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics are just two examples of how much work is needed to make our society literate in topics related to microbiology. Considering the challenges of communicating a discipline surrounded by misconceptions, which studies the role of living organisms that cannot be seen in plain sight, we need to explore different strategies to effectively contribute to microbiology literacy in our society. Here, we will comment on the use of comics for such a task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Scavone
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Uruguay
| | - Valentina Carrasco
- Department of Microbial Biochemistry and Genomics, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Uruguay
| | - Ana Umpiérrez
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Uruguay
| | - María Morel
- Department of Microbial Biochemistry and Genomics, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Uruguay
| | - Daniela Arredondo
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Uruguay
| | - Vanesa Amarelle
- Department of Microbial Biochemistry and Genomics, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Uruguay
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10
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Da Cunda P, Iribarnegaray V, Papa-Ezdra R, Bado I, González MJ, Zunino P, Vignoli R, Scavone P. Characterization of the Different Stages of Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Susceptibility in a Clinical Acinetobacter baumannii Strain. Microb Drug Resist 2020; 26:569-575. [DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2019.0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Da Cunda
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Victoria Iribarnegaray
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Romina Papa-Ezdra
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Higiene, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Inés Bado
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Higiene, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María José González
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rafael Vignoli
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Higiene, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Robino
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Alfredo Navarro 3051, PC 11600, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Av. Italia 3318, PC 11600, Uruguay
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12
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Iribarnegaray V, Navarro N, Robino L, Zunino P, Morales J, Scavone P. Magnesium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles alter biofilm formation of Proteus mirabilis. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2019; 14:1551-1564. [PMID: 31166149 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2018-0420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Proteus mirabilis biofilms colonize medical devices, and their role in microbial pathogenesis is well established. Magnesium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO:MgO NPs) have potential antimicrobial properties; thus, we aimed at evaluating the antibiofilm activity of ZnO:MgO NPs against P. mirabilis biofilm. Materials & methods: After synthesis and characterization of ZnO:MgO NPs and their addition to a polymer film, we evaluated the stages of P. mirabilis biofilm development over glass coverslip covered by different concentrations of ZnO:MgO NPs. Results: Low concentrations of ZnO:MgO NPs affect the development of P. mirabilis biofilm. Descriptors showed reduced values in bacterial number, bacterial volume and extracellular material. Conclusion: Our results highlight this new application of ZnO:MgO NPs as a potential antibiofilm strategy in medical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Iribarnegaray
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Nicolas Navarro
- Departamento de Ciencias y Tecnologías Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Santiago, Chile.,Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luciana Robino
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Alfredo Navarro 3051, PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Javier Morales
- Departamento de Ciencias y Tecnologías Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santos Dumont 964, Independencia, Santiago, Chile.,Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
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13
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González MJ, Da Cunda P, Notejane M, Zunino P, Scavone P, Robino L. Fosfomycin tromethamine activity on biofilm and intracellular bacterial communities produced by uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from patients with urinary tract infection. Pathog Dis 2019; 77:5470948. [PMID: 31062019 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftz022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fosfomycin tromethamine (FT), an old antibiotic revived as a new strategy to overcome antibiotic resistance, is an excellent option for the treatment of lower urinary tract infection (UTI). During UTI, Escherichia coli produces biofilms and could invade the bladder epithelial cells, developing intracellular bacterial communities (IBC). The present work aimed to evaluate the activity of FT on biofilms and IBC from clinical isolates of E. coli. A total of 38 E. coli clinical UTI isolates previously characterized as biofilm and IBC producers were studied. FT susceptibility was evaluated and its activity on 48 h biofilm was determined by microtiter plate-based biofilm assay comparing three different antibiotic concentrations. Two UPEC strains were selected to evaluate FT activity on IBC in vitro using T24 bladder cells. The survival percentage of intracellular bacteria after 24 h exposure to FT was calculated and compared to the percentage of intracellular bacteria without antibiotic. All the strains were susceptible to FT. FT produced a significant reduction of biofilms at the three concentrations tested, compared to the control. However, no statistically effect on IBC was observed after 24 h of fosfomycin exposure in cell culture. FT is a good option for bacterial biofilm reduction within UTI. However, it does not affect IBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria José González
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Av Italia 3318, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Paula Da Cunda
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Av Italia 3318, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Martín Notejane
- Departamento de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Av Gral Flores 2125, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Av Italia 3318, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Av Italia 3318, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Luciana Robino
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Alfredo Navarro 3051, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
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14
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Abstract
Flagella are effective organelles of locomotion and one of several virulence factors in Proteus mirabilis. To study their properties and role in virulence, we describe a protocol to extract and purify the native flagellin of P. mirabilis. Purified flagellin can be visualized by SDS-PAGE or immunoblot and is suitable for downstream applications such as immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José González
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Victoria Iribarnegaray
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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15
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Abstract
Bacterial adherence to eukaryotic cells is mediated by different adhesins that can act at different stages in bacteria-host interaction. Abundant evidence has suggested that adherence is critical for infection by bacterial pathogens. Proteus mirabilis is an opportunistic pathogen which frequently infects the human urinary tract, particularly in patients with indwelling urinary catheters. Sequencing of the genome of this pathogen has revealed the existence of a remarkable amount of complete fimbrial operons. In this chapter, we describe in vitro adherence assays of P. mirabilis to uroepithelial cells, which can provide relevant results to assess virulence of uropathogenic strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José González
- Departamento de MicrobiologÚa, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Victoria Iribarnegaray
- Departamento de MicrobiologÚa, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de MicrobiologÚa, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Departamento de MicrobiologÚa, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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16
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Papa R, Bado I, Iribarnegaray V, Gonzalez M, Zunino P, Scavone P, Vignoli R. Biofilm formation in carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates. Int J Infect Dis 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.04.3688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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17
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Trovero MF, Scavone P, Platero R, de Souza EM, Fabiano E, Rosconi F. Herbaspirillum seropedicae Differentially Expressed Genes in Response to Iron Availability. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1430. [PMID: 30018605 PMCID: PMC6037834 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z67 is a nitrogen-fixing endophyte that colonizes many important crops. Like in almost all organisms, vital cellular processes of this endophyte are iron dependent. In order to efficiently acquire iron to fulfill its requirements, this bacterium produces the siderophores serobactins. However, the presence in its genome of many others iron acquisition genes suggests that serobactins are not the only strategy used by H. seropedicae to overcome metal deficiency. The aim of this work was to identify genes and proteins differentially expressed by cells growing in low iron conditions in order to describe H. seropedicae response to iron limitation stress. For this purpose, and by using a transcriptomic approach, we searched and identified a set of genes up-regulated when iron was scarce. One of them, Hsero_2337, codes for a TonB-dependent transporter/transducer present in the serobactins biosynthesis genomic locus, with an unknown function. Another TonB-dependent receptor, the one encoded by Hsero_1277, and an inner membrane ferrous iron permease, coded by Hsero_2720, were also detected. By using a proteomic approach focused in membrane proteins, we identified the specific receptor for iron-serobactin internalization SbtR and two non-characterized TonB-dependent receptors (coded by genes Hsero_1277 and Hsero_3255). We constructed mutants on some of the identified genes and characterized them by in vitro growth, biofilm formation, and interaction with rice plants. Characterization of mutants in gene Hsero_2337 showed that the TonB-dependent receptor coded by this gene has a regulatory role in the biosynthesis of serobactins, probably by interacting with the alternative sigma factor PfrI, coded by gene Hsero_2338. Plant colonization of the mutant strains was not affected, since the mutant strain normally colonize the root and aerial part of rice plants. These results suggest that the strategies used by H. seropedicae to acquire iron inside plants are far more diverse than the ones characterized in this work. In vivo expression studies or colonization competition experiments between the different mutant strains could help us in future works to determine the relative importance of the different iron acquisition systems in the interaction of H. seropedicae with rice plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F Trovero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Genómica Microbianas, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Raúl Platero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Genómica Microbianas, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Emanuel M de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Elena Fabiano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Genómica Microbianas, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Federico Rosconi
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Genómica Microbianas, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
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18
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Alves DR, Booth SP, Scavone P, Schellenberger P, Salvage J, Dedi C, Thet NT, Jenkins ATA, Waters R, Ng KW, Overall ADJ, Metcalfe AD, Nzakizwanayo J, Jones BV. Development of a High-Throughput ex-Vivo Burn Wound Model Using Porcine Skin, and Its Application to Evaluate New Approaches to Control Wound Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:196. [PMID: 29963501 PMCID: PMC6013584 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilm formation in wounds is considered a major barrier to successful treatment, and has been associated with the transition of wounds to a chronic non-healing state. Here, we present a novel laboratory model of wound biofilm formation using ex-vivo porcine skin and a custom burn wound array device. The model supports high-throughput studies of biofilm formation and is compatible with a range of established methods for monitoring bacterial growth, biofilm formation, and gene expression. We demonstrate the use of this model by evaluating the potential for bacteriophage to control biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus, and for population density dependant expression of S. aureus virulence factors (regulated by the Accessory Gene Regulator, agr) to signal clinically relevant wound infection. Enumeration of colony forming units and metabolic activity using the XTT assay, confirmed growth of bacteria in wounds and showed a significant reduction in viable cells after phage treatment. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed the growth of biofilms in wounds, and showed phage treatment could significantly reduce the formation of these communities. Evaluation of agr activity by qRT-PCR showed an increase in activity during growth in wound models for most strains. Activation of a prototype infection-responsive dressing designed to provide a visual signal of wound infection, was related to increased agr activity. In all assays, excellent reproducibility was observed between replicates using this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana R Alves
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom.,The Blond McIndoe Research Foundation, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom.,The Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Grinstead, United Kingdom
| | - Simon P Booth
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom.,The Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Grinstead, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Scavone
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pascale Schellenberger
- Electron Microscopy Imaging Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Salvage
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Cinzia Dedi
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Naing-Tun Thet
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - A Toby A Jenkins
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan Waters
- The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom
| | - Keng W Ng
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom.,School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew D J Overall
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony D Metcalfe
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom.,The Blond McIndoe Research Foundation, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom.,School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Nzakizwanayo
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Brian V Jones
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom.,The Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Grinstead, United Kingdom.,Department of Biology and Biological Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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19
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Kruk C, Segura AM, Nogueira L, Alcántara I, Calliari D, Martínez de la Escalera G, Carballo C, Cabrera C, Sarthou F, Scavone P, Piccini C. A multilevel trait-based approach to the ecological performance of Microcystis aeruginosa complex from headwaters to the ocean. Harmful Algae 2017; 70:23-36. [PMID: 29169566 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The Microcystis aeruginosa complex (MAC) clusters cosmopolitan and conspicuous harmful bloom-forming cyanobacteria able to produce cyanotoxins. It is hypothesized that low temperatures and brackish salinities are the main barriers to MAC proliferation. Here, patterns at multiple levels of organization irrespective of taxonomic identity (i.e. a trait-based approach) were analyzed. MAC responses from the intracellular (e.g. respiratory activity) to the ecosystem level (e.g. blooms) were evaluated in wide environmental gradients. Experimental results on buoyancy and respiratory activity in response to increased salinity (0-35) and a literature review of maximum growth rates under different temperatures and salinities were combined with field sampling from headwaters (800km upstream) to the marine end of the Rio de la Plata estuary (Uruguay-South America). Salinity and temperature were the major variables affecting MAC responses. Experimentally, freshwater MAC cells remained active for 24h in brackish waters (salinity=15) while colonies increased their flotation velocity. At the population level, maximum growth rate decreased with salinity and presented a unimodal exponential response with temperature, showing an optimum at 27.5°C and a rapid decrease thereafter. At the community and ecosystem levels, MAC occurred from fresh to marine waters (salinity 30) with a sustained relative increase of large mucilaginous colonies biovolume with respect to individual cells. Similarly, total biomass and, specific and morphological richness decreased with salinity while blooms were only detected in freshwater both at high (33°C) and low (11°C) temperatures. In brackish waters, large mucilaginous colonies presented advantages under osmotic restrictive conditions. These traits values have also been associated with higher toxicity potential. This suggest salinity or low temperatures would not represent effective barriers for the survival and transport of potentially toxic MAC under likely near future scenarios of increasing human impacts (i.e. eutrophication, dam construction and climate change).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Kruk
- Ecología Funcional de Sistemas Acuáticos, Centro Universitario Regional Este-Rocha, Universidad de la República, Uruguay; Sección Limnología, IECA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
| | - Angel M Segura
- Modelización y Análisis de Recursos Naturales, Centro Universitario Regional Este-Rocha, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Nogueira
- Sección Limnología, IECA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Ignacio Alcántara
- Sección Limnología, IECA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay; Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, MEC, Uruguay
| | - Danilo Calliari
- Ecología Funcional de Sistemas Acuáticos, Centro Universitario Regional Este-Rocha, Universidad de la República, Uruguay; Oceanografía, IECA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | | | - Carmela Carballo
- Ecología Funcional de Sistemas Acuáticos, Centro Universitario Regional Este-Rocha, Universidad de la República, Uruguay; Sección Limnología, IECA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Carolina Cabrera
- Ecología Funcional de Sistemas Acuáticos, Centro Universitario Regional Este-Rocha, Universidad de la República, Uruguay; Sección Limnología, IECA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Sarthou
- Ecología Funcional de Sistemas Acuáticos, Centro Universitario Regional Este-Rocha, Universidad de la República, Uruguay; Sección Limnología, IECA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, MEC, Uruguay
| | - Claudia Piccini
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, MEC, Uruguay
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20
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Nzakizwanayo J, Scavone P, Jamshidi S, Hawthorne JA, Pelling H, Dedi C, Salvage JP, Hind CK, Guppy FM, Barnes LM, Patel BA, Rahman KM, Sutton MJ, Jones BV. Fluoxetine and thioridazine inhibit efflux and attenuate crystalline biofilm formation by Proteus mirabilis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12222. [PMID: 28939900 PMCID: PMC5610337 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12445-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis forms extensive crystalline biofilms on indwelling urethral catheters that block urine flow and lead to serious clinical complications. The Bcr/CflA efflux system has previously been identified as important for development of P. mirabilis crystalline biofilms, highlighting the potential for efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) to control catheter blockage. Here we evaluate the potential for drugs already used in human medicine (fluoxetine and thioridazine) to act as EPIs in P. mirabilis, and control crystalline biofilm formation. Both fluoxetine and thioridazine inhibited efflux in P. mirabilis, and molecular modelling predicted both drugs interact strongly with the biofilm-associated Bcr/CflA efflux system. Both EPIs were also found to significantly reduce the rate of P. mirabilis crystalline biofilm formation on catheters, and increase the time taken for catheters to block. Swimming and swarming motilies in P. mirabilis were also significantly reduced by both EPIs. The impact of these drugs on catheter biofilm formation by other uropathogens (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was also explored, and thioridazine was shown to also inhibit biofilm formation in these species. Therefore, repurposing of existing drugs with EPI activity could be a promising approach to control catheter blockage, or biofilm formation on other medical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Nzakizwanayo
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Paola Scavone
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom.,Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, CP, 11600, Uruguay
| | - Shirin Jamshidi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph A Hawthorne
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Harriet Pelling
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Cinzia Dedi
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan P Salvage
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte K Hind
- National Infections Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Fergus M Guppy
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Lara M Barnes
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Bhavik A Patel
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Khondaker M Rahman
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J Sutton
- National Infections Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
| | - Brian V Jones
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom.
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21
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González MJ, Robino L, Iribarnegaray V, Zunino P, Scavone P. Effect of different antibiotics on biofilm produced by uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from children with urinary tract infection. Pathog Dis 2017. [PMID: 28505288 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftx053.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur frequently in children and women. Intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) and biofilm formation by Escherichia coli are risk factors for recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different antibiotics on biofilms by E. coli strains isolated from children with UTI and to correlate virulence factors and IBCs with biofilm formation. A total of 116 E. coli strains were tested for biofilm formation using the crystal violet microplate technique. 58.6% of the strains did not produce biofilm, while 16.4%, 18.1% and 6.8% formed weak, moderate and strong biofilms, respectively. No correlation was found between the ability to form biofilms and the presence of IBCs. Biofilm formation was significantly associated with pili P codifying genes, whereas other virulence factors were not statistically associated. Antibiotics, including ampicillin, cephalothin, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, amikacin and ciprofloxacin, were evaluated at different concentrations after 48 h of biofilm formation. Except ampicillin, the other antibiotics tested induced a significant reduction of biofilm biomass. In the case of recurrent UTIs potentially associated with the presence of biofilm, the use of third-generation cephalosporin, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides could be recommended. These antibiotics demonstrated to reduce biofilm biomass produced even by resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José González
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Luciana Robino
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Victoria Iribarnegaray
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
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22
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González MJ, Robino L, Iribarnegaray V, Zunino P, Scavone P. Effect of different antibiotics on biofilm produced by uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from children with urinary tract infection. Pathog Dis 2017; 75:3821168. [PMID: 28505288 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftx053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- María José González
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Luciana Robino
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Victoria Iribarnegaray
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
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23
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Pérez G, Doldán S, Scavone P, Borsani O, Irisarri P. Osmotic stress alters UV-based oxidative damage tolerance in a heterocyst forming cyanobacterium. Plant Physiol Biochem 2016; 108:231-240. [PMID: 27466716 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2016.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are successful in diverse habitats due to their adaptation strategies. Their mechanisms to cope with individual stresses have been studied. However, the response to combined stress conditions as found in nature remains unclear. With this aim, we studied the dual effect of 24h-osmotic and 3h-UV irradiation on the cyanobacterium Calothrix BI22. Our approach included the study of redox homeostasis, oxidative damage, reactive oxygen species production-consumption processes and photosynthetic activity. Superoxide in vivo determination with confocal image processing showed the highest accumulation under UV. However, no lipoperoxidation occurred due to a high SOD activity. This cyanobacterium was less prepared to cope with the osmotic stress assayed. Under this condition, O2 photoevolution decreased abruptly and oxidative damage was produced by reactive species other than superoxide. In this situation the cellular control of the amount of ROS failed to prevent oxidative damage and photosynthesis was seriously disturbed in spite of maximum quantum photosynthetic efficiency remained unchanged. Calothrix BI22 presented the more severe oxidative damage when both stressors were applied. The osmotic stress disentangled the mechanisms developed by this cyanobacterium to deal with 3h-UV irradiation alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán Pérez
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Depto. Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Avda. Garzón 908, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Soledad Doldán
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Depto. Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Avda. Garzón 908, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paola Scavone
- Depto. Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Omar Borsani
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Depto. Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Avda. Garzón 908, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pilar Irisarri
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Depto. Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Avda. Garzón 908, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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24
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Scavone P, Iribarnegaray V, Caetano AL, Schlapp G, Härtel S, Zunino P. Fimbriae have distinguishable roles in Proteus mirabilis biofilm formation. Pathog Dis 2016; 74:ftw033. [PMID: 27091004 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftw033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is one of the most common etiological agents of complicated urinary tract infections, especially those associated with catheterization. This is related to the ability of P. mirabilis to form biofilms on different surfaces. This pathogen encodes 17 putative fimbrial operons, the highest number found in any sequenced bacterial species so far. The present study analyzed the role of four P. mirabilis fimbriae (MR/P, UCA, ATF and PMF) in biofilm formation using isogenic mutants. Experimental approaches included migration over catheter, swimming and swarming motility, the semiquantitative assay based on adhesion and crystal violet staining, and biofilm development by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Different assays were performed using LB or artificial urine. Results indicated that the different fimbriae contribute to the formation of a stable and functional biofilm. Fimbriae revealed particular associated roles. First, all the mutants showed a significantly reduced ability to migrate across urinary catheter sections but neither swimming nor swarming motility were affected. However, some mutants formed smaller biofilms compared with the wild type (MRP and ATF) while others formed significantly larger biofilms (UCA and PMF) showing different bioarchitecture features. It can be concluded that P. mirabilis fimbriae have distinguishable roles in the generation of biofilms, particularly in association with catheters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Scavone
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Victoria Iribarnegaray
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Ana Laura Caetano
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Geraldine Schlapp
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Steffen Härtel
- Laboratory for Scientific Image Processing (SCIAN-Lab), Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
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25
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Robino L, Scavone P, Araujo L, Algorta G, Zunino P, Pírez MC, Vignoli R. Intracellular bacteria in the pathogenesis of Escherichia coli urinary tract infection in children. Clin Infect Dis 2014; 59:e158-64. [PMID: 25091303 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciu634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common agent of urinary tract infection (UTI). The classic model of pathogenesis proposes the ascent of UPEC by the urethra and external adherence to the urothelium. Recently, the ability of UPEC to invade urothelial cells and to form intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) has been described. METHODS The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of intracellular bacteria (IB) in children with UTI caused by E. coli and to characterize its virulence attributes and its relation with clinical outcomes. One hundred thirty-three children with E. coli UTI who attended a reference children's hospital between June and November 2012 were included. Urine samples were analyzed by optical and confocal microscopy looking for exfoliated urothelial cells with IB. Phylogenetic group and 24 virulence factors of UPEC were determined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Medical records were analyzed. RESULTS The presence of IB was detected in 49 of 133 (36.8%) samples by confocal microscopy, in 30 cases as IBC, and in 19 as isolated intracellular bacteria (IIB). Only 50% of these cases could be detected by light microscopy. Seventy-four medical records were analyzed, 34 with IBC/IIB, 40 without IB. Any virulence gene was associated with IBC/IIB. The presence of IBC/IIB was associated with recurrent UTI (odds ratio [OR], 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-9; P = .017), especially in children without urinary tract functional or morphological abnormalities (OR, 8.0; 95% CI, 2.3-27.4; P = .000). IBCs were associated with lower urinary tract syndrome (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1-11.8; P = .05) and absence of fever (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS IBCs/IIB could explain a high proportion of children with recurrent UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Robino
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Instituto de Higiene
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable
| | - Lucia Araujo
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Instituto de Higiene
| | - Gabriela Algorta
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Instituto de Higiene Laboratorio Central, Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable
| | - María Catalina Pírez
- Departamento de Pediatria, Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rafael Vignoli
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Instituto de Higiene
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26
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Umpiérrez A, Scavone P, Romanin D, Marqués JM, Chabalgoity JA, Rumbo M, Zunino P. Innate immune responses to Proteus mirabilis flagellin in the urinary tract. Microbes Infect 2013; 15:688-96. [PMID: 23817034 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2013.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Flagella are bacterial virulence factors allowing microorganisms to move over surfaces. Flagellin, the structural component of flagella, is sensed by the host via Toll and NOD-like receptors and triggers pro-inflammatory responses. The use of Toll-like receptors agonists to modulate innate immune responses has aroused great interest as an alternative to improve the treatment of diverse infectious diseases. Proteus mirabilis is a Gram negative bacterium that causes urinary tract infections in humans. In the present work we used different approaches to study the ability of P. mirabilis flagellin to induce an innate immune response. We demonstrated that P. mirabilis flagellin has the ability to induce pro-inflammatory chemokines expression in T24 bladder cultures cells and in the mouse bladder after instillation. It was evidenced also that flagellin from different P. mirabilis strains differed in their capacity to induce an innate immune response in the CacoCCL20-Luc system. Also, flagellin elicited inflammation, with recruitment of leukocytes to the bladder epithelium. Flagellin instillation before an experimental P. mirabilis infection showed that the inflammatory response due to flagellin did not help to clear the infection but favored bacterial colonization. Thus, induction of inflammatory response in the bladder did not contribute to P. mirabilis infection neutralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Umpiérrez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, PC 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
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27
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Robino L, Scavone P, Araujo L, Algorta G, Zunino P, Vignoli R. Detection of intracellular bacterial communities in a child with Escherichia coli recurrent urinary tract infections. Pathog Dis 2013; 68:78-81. [PMID: 23733378 DOI: 10.1111/2049-632x.12047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of intracellular bacterial communities (IBC) has been proposed as a new pathogenic model for urinary tract infections. Scarce reports describe this phenomenon in humans. We describe the presence of IBC in uroepithelial cells of a child with recurrent urinary infections. Urine specimen was collected from a child with Escherichia coli UTI and analyzed by light and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The capability of this strain to produce intracellular infection in bladder tissue was confirmed in mice models. Escherichia coli phylogenetic group, presence of virulence factors genes, and its multiple locus sequence type were determined. CLSM showed large collections of morphologically coccoid and rod bacteria in eukaryotic cells cytoplasm, even seemingly protruding from the cells. Escherichia coli EC7U, ST3626, harbored type 1, P, and S/F1C fimbriae and K1 capsule genes. In this report, we confirm the presence of IBC in children with UTI, as it has been described before in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Robino
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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28
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Pellegrino R, Scavone P, Umpiérrez A, Maskell DJ, Zunino P. Proteus mirabilis uroepithelial cell adhesin (UCA) fimbria plays a role in the colonization of the urinary tract. Pathog Dis 2013; 67:104-7. [PMID: 23620155 DOI: 10.1111/2049-632x.12027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in humans. Proteus mirabilis is an opportunistic pathogen, capable of causing severe UTIs, with serious kidney damage that may even lead to death. Several virulence factors are involved in the pathogenicity of this bacterium. Among these, adherence to the uroepithelium mediated by fimbriae appears to be a significant bacterial attribute related to urovirulence. Proteus mirabilis expresses several types of fimbriae that could be involved in the pathogenesis of UTI, including uroepithelial cell adhesin (UCA). In this report, we used an uropathogenic P. mirabilis wild-type strain and an isogenic ucaA mutant unable to express UCA to study the pathogenic role of this fimbria in UTI. Ability of the mutant to adhere to desquamated uroepithelial cells and to infect mice using different experimental UTI models was significantly impaired. These results allow us to conclude that P. mirabilis UCA plays an important role in the colonization of the urinary tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Pellegrino
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
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29
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Schlapp G, Scavone P, Zunino P, Härtel S. Development of 3D architecture of uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis batch culture biofilms-A quantitative confocal microscopy approach. J Microbiol Methods 2011; 87:234-40. [PMID: 21864585 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2011.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Revised: 07/25/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
This work studies the development of the 3D architecture of batch culture P. mirabilis biofilms on the basis of morpho-topological descriptors calculated from confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) stacks with image processing routines. A precise architectonical understanding of biofilm organization on a morpho-topological level is necessary to understand emergent interactions with the environment and the appearance of functionally different progeny swarmer cells. P. mirabilis biofilms were grown on glass coverslips for seven days on LB broth and subjected to in situ immunofluorescence. Confocal image stacks were deconvolved prior to segmentation of regions of interest (ROI) that identify individual bacteria and extracellular material, followed by 3D reconstruction and calculation of different morpho-topological key descriptors. Results showed that P. mirabilis biofilm formation followed a five stage process: (i) reversible adhesion to the surface characterized by slow growth, presence of elongated bacteria, and absence of extracellular material, (ii) irreversible bacterial adhesion concomitant to decreasing elongation, and the beginning of extracellular polymer production, (iii) accelerated bacterial growth concomitant to continuously decreasing elongation and halting of extracellular polymer production, (iv) maturation of biofilm defined by maximum bacterial density, volume, minimum elongation, maximum extracellular material, and highest compaction, and (v) decreased bacterial density and extracellular material through detachment and dispersion. Swarmer cells do not play a role in P. mirabilis biofilm formation under the applied conditions. Our approach sets the basis for future studies of 3D biofilm architecture using dynamic in vivo models and different environmental conditions that assess clinical impacts of P. mirabilis biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Schlapp
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo, Uruguay
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30
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Scavone P, Umpiérrez A, Maskell DJ, Zunino P. Nasal immunization with attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium expressing an MrpA-TetC fusion protein significantly reduces Proteus mirabilis colonization in the mouse urinary tract. J Med Microbiol 2011; 60:899-904. [PMID: 21415205 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.030460-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of effective strategies to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) has become an important goal in public health. Proteus mirabilis is commonly associated with complicated UTIs and expresses several virulence factors, including mannose-resistant Proteus-like (MR/P) fimbriae. Here, a fusion protein formed from MrpA, the structural protein of MR/P fimbriae, and TetC, a non-toxic but highly immunogenic fragment of tetanus toxin, to be delivered by an attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium mutant in vivo was constructed. The ability of this strain to induce an immune response and to protect mice against a urinary tract challenge with P. mirabilis was investigated. The protein was successfully expressed in S. Typhimurium. After two immunization doses, intra-nasally vaccinated mice showed a significant increase in specific serum IgG against MrpA and against Salmonella lipopolysaccharide, as well as a significant decrease in kidney and bladder colonization by P. mirabilis after challenge. However, no significant correlation was observed between antibody response and kidney or bladder colonization. MrpA fused to TetC and expressed in S. Typhimurium effectively protected mice against an experimental P. mirabilis UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Scavone
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Ana Umpiérrez
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Duncan J Maskell
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Pablo Zunino
- Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
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31
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Scavone P, Rial A, Umpierrez A, Chabalgoity A, Zunino P. Effects of the administration of cholera toxin as a mucosal adjuvant on the immune and protective response induced by Proteus mirabilis MrpA fimbrial protein in the urinary tract. Microbiol Immunol 2009; 53:233-40. [PMID: 19714860 DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2009.00111.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is commonly associated with complicated UTI and expresses several virulence factors, including MR/P fimbriae. In the present study mice were immunised nasally with MrpA, the structural subunit of MR/P, with or without CT as a mucosal adjuvant. The animals were then challenged with P. mirabilis and induction of specific serum and urine IgG and IgA, IFN-gamma production and bacterial kidney and bladder colonization were assessed. MrpA-immunised mice exhibited significant induction of serum IgA and urine IgA and IgG. MrpA/CT-immunised mice showed both significant serum and urine IgA and IgG production. Only this group showed significant IFN-y production. Both groups of animals had significant decrease in bacterial colonization of kidneys but not of bladders. No correlation between specific antibody induction in serum and CFU decrease was observed in any group of animals. Our results suggest that a mucosal adjuvant (CT) in the urinary tract enhanced humoral and cytokine response although it did not influence the degree of protection against UTI provided by MrpA. Further studies are necessary to understand immune modulation in the urinary tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Scavone
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Investigations Clemente Estable, UdelaR, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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32
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Scavone P, Miyoshi A, Rial A, Chabalgoity A, Langella P, Azevedo V, Zunino P. Intranasal immunisation with recombinant Lactococcus lactis displaying either anchored or secreted forms of Proteus mirabilis MrpA fimbrial protein confers specific immune response and induces a significant reduction of kidney bacterial colonisation in mice. Microbes Infect 2007; 9:821-8. [PMID: 17540603 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2007.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2006] [Revised: 01/17/2007] [Accepted: 02/27/2007] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis, a common cause of urinary tract infections in humans, can express different fimbriae. MR/P fimbriae may contribute to bacterial colonisation, and its structural protein MrpA represents a promising candidate antigen for mucosal vaccination. Commercial complex vaccines have limited, short-lived protection and are incapable of eliciting mucosal responses against putative antigens related to virulence. The development of mucosal live vaccines using food-grade lactic acid bacterium Lactococcus lactis as antigen vehicle is an attractive alternative and a safe vaccination strategy against P. mirabilis infection. Here, we report the construction of L. lactis strains modified to produce MrpA via two cellular locations, cell wall-anchored and secreted. Protection assays against P. mirabilis infection and evaluation of the immune response generated after immunisation were conducted in a mouse model. MrpA protein was efficiently expressed by L. lactis strain and caused a significant induction of specific serum IgG and IgA in the animals immunised with L. lactis pSEC:mrpA and L. lactis pCWA:mrpA respectively. A significant reduction of renal bacterial colonisation was observed in both groups of mice (P<0.05) after P. mirabilis challenge. This is the first example of a P. mirabilis fimbrial antigen expressed in a food-grade live strain with promising applications in vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Scavone
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, CP11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
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33
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Fraga M, Scavone P, Zunino P. Preventive and therapeutic administration of an indigenous Lactobacillus sp. strain against Proteus mirabilis ascending urinary tract infection in a mouse model. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2005; 88:25-34. [PMID: 15928974 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-004-5475-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2004] [Accepted: 12/08/2004] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Probiotics are increasingly being considered as non-pharmaceutical and safe potential alternatives for the treatment and prevention of a variety of pathologies including urinary tract infections. These are the most common infections in medical practice and are frequently treated with antibiotics, which have generated an intense selective pressure over bacterial populations. Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of urinary tract infections in catheterised patients and people with abnormalities of the urinary tract. In this work we isolated, identified and characterised an indigenous Lactobacillus murinus strain (LbO2) from the vaginal tract of a female mouse. In vitro characterisation of LbO2 included acid and bile salts tolerance, growth in urine, adherence to uroepithelial cells and in vitro antimicrobial activity. The selected strain showed interesting properties, suitable for its use as a probiotic. The ability of LbO2 to prevent and even treat ascending P. mirabilis urinary tract infection was assessed using an experimental model in the mouse. Kidney and bladder P. mirabilis counts were significantly lower in mice preventively treated with the probiotic than in non-treated mice. When LbO2 was used for therapeutic treatment, bladder counts of treated mice were significantly lower although no significant differences were detected in P. mirabilis kidney colonisation of treated and non-treated animals. These results are encouraging and prompt further research related to probiotic strains and the basis of their effects for their use in human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martín Fraga
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Scavone P, Sosa V, Pellegrino R, Galvalisi U, Zunino P. Mucosal vaccination of mice with recombinant Proteus mirabilis structural fimbrial proteins. Microbes Infect 2004; 6:853-60. [PMID: 15374007 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2004.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2003] [Accepted: 04/08/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis, a common cause of urinary tract infection (UTI), expresses several types of fimbria including mannose-resistant/Proteus-like fimbriae (MRP), uroepithelial cell adhesin (UCA), renamed non-agglutinating fimbriae (NAF) by some authors, and P. mirabilis fimbriae (PMF), which are potentially involved in adhesion to the uroepithelium. In this study, we immunised different groups of mice with recombinant structural subunits of these fimbriae (MrpA, UcaA and PmfA) using two mucosal routes (nasal and transurethral) and we transurethrally challenged the animals with a P. mirabilis uropathogenic isolate. Induction of specific serum and urine IgG and IgA was measured to assess the potential role of the humoral immune response in protection against experimental ascending P. mirabilis UTI. Intranasally MrpA- and UcaA-immunised mice were protected against P. mirabilis ascending UTI, since recovery of bacteria from kidneys and bladders was significantly lower than in PBS-treated mice, and both fimbrial subunits significantly induced specific serum and urine antibodies. Only MrpA and PmfA transurethrally immunised animals were protected only at the kidney level, and in this case only MrpA-immunised mice exhibited significant serum IgG induction. Correlation analysis did not show a significant relationship between serum and urine specific antibody response and protection observed against infection. Our results suggest that an immunisation strategy based on structural fimbrial proteins may be useful to prevent P. mirabilis UTI. Further studies are being carried out to characterise the immune and inflammatory response induced by P. mirabilis recombinant fimbrial subunits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Scavone
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo CP11600, Uruguay
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Pellegrino R, Galvalisi U, Scavone P, Sosa V, Zunino P. Evaluation of Proteus mirabilis structural fimbrial proteins as antigens against urinary tract infections. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol 2003; 36:103-10. [PMID: 12727373 DOI: 10.1016/s0928-8244(03)00103-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of urinary tract infection (UTI) and produce several types of different fimbriae, including mannose-resistant/Proteus-like fimbriae, uroepithelial cell adhesin (UCA), and P. mirabilis fimbriae (PMF). Different authors have related these fimbriae with different aspects of P. mirabilis pathogenesis, although the precise role of fimbriae in UTI has not yet been elucidated. In this work we expressed and purified recombinant structural fimbrial proteins of these fimbriae (MrpA, UcaA, and PmfA) and assessed their role as protective antigens using an ascending and a haematogenous model of UTI in the mouse. MrpA protected subcutaneously immunised mice in both models, suggesting that it could be taken into account as a promising vaccine candidate against P. mirabilis UTI. UcaA could also be an interesting subunit to be studied although it only protected mice that were challenged intravenously. All subunits elicited a strong specific serum IgG response but there was no significant correlation between antibody levels and protection. Only PmfA-immunised mice elicited a significant urinary antibody response but this protein was unable to confer protection against P. mirabilis experimental challenges. These results may contribute to the development of vaccines against P. mirabilis, an important cause of complicated UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Pellegrino
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318, P.O. Box 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
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