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Schaffler BC, Longwell M, Byers B, Kreft R, Ramot R, Ramot Y, Schwarzkopf R. Nanoparticle ultrasonication outperforms conventional irrigation solutions in eradicating Staphylococcus aureus biofilm from titanium surfaces: an in vitro study. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2024:10.1007/s00590-024-03982-y. [PMID: 38761198 DOI: 10.1007/s00590-024-03982-y] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Bacterial biofilms create a challenge in the treatment of prosthetic joint infection (PJI), and failure to eradicate biofilms is often implicated in the high rates of recurrence. In this study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of a novel nanoparticle ultrasonication technology on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm eradication compared to commonly used orthopedic irrigation solutions. METHODS Twenty-four sterile, titanium alloy discs were inoculated with a standardized concentration of methicillin-resistant S. aureus and cultured for seven days to allow for biofilm formation. Discs were then treated with either ultrasonicated nanoparticle therapy or irrigation with chlorhexidine gluconate, povidone-iodine or normal saline. The remaining bacteria on each surface was subsequently plated for colony-forming units of S. aureus. Bacterial eradication was reported as a decrease in CFUs relative to the control group. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare between groups. RESULTS Treatment with ultrasonicated nanoparticles resulted in a significant mean decrease in CFUs of 99.3% compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Irrigation with povidone-iodine also resulted in a significant 77.5% reduction in CFUs compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Comparisons between ultrasonicated nanoparticles and povidone-iodine demonstrated a significantly higher reduction in bacterial CFUs in the nanoparticle group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Ultrasonicated nanoparticle were superior to commonly used bactericidal irrigation solutions in the eradication of S. aureus from a titanium surface. Future clinical studies are warranted to evaluate this ultrsonication technology in the treatment of PJI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin C Schaffler
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, 301 East 17Th Street, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Mark Longwell
- Center for Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Barbara Byers
- Center for Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rachel Kreft
- Center for Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Roi Ramot
- Center for Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yair Ramot
- Center for Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ran Schwarzkopf
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, 301 East 17Th Street, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
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Hu FZ, Król JE, Tsai CHS, Eutsey RA, Hiller LN, Sen B, Ahmed A, Hillman T, Buchinsky FJ, Nistico L, Dice B, Longwell M, Horsey E, Ehrlich GD. Deletion of genes involved in the ketogluconate metabolism, Entner-Doudoroff pathway, and glucose dehydrogenase increase local and invasive virulence phenotypes in Streptococcus pneumoniae. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209688. [PMID: 30620734 PMCID: PMC6324787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae displays increased resistance to antibiotic therapy following biofilm formation. A genome-wide search revealed that SP 0320 and SP 0675 (respectively annotated as 5-keto-D-gluconate-5-reductase and glucose dehydrogenase) contain the highest degree of homology to CsgA of Myxococcus xanthus, a signaling factor that promotes cell aggregation and biofilm formation. Single and double SP 0320 and SP 0675 knockout mutants were created in strain BS72; however, no differences were observed in the biofilm-forming phenotypes of mutants compared to the wild type strain. Using the chinchilla model of otitis media and invasive disease, all three mutants exhibited greatly increased virulence compared to the wild type strain (increased pus formation, tympanic membrane rupture, mortality rates). The SP 0320 gene is located in an operon with SP 0317, SP 0318 and SP 0319, which we bioinformatically annotated as being part of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Deletion of SP 0317 also resulted in increased mortality in chinchillas; however, mutations in SP 0318 and SP 0319 did not alter the virulence of bacteria compared to the wild type strain. Complementing the SP 0317, SP 0320 and SP 0675 mutant strains reversed the virulence phenotype. We prepared recombinant SP 0317, SP 0318, SP 0320 and SP 0675 proteins and confirmed their functions. These data reveal that disruption of genes involved in the degradation of ketogluconate, the Entner-Doudoroff pathway, and glucose dehydrogenase significantly increase the virulence of bacteria in vivo; two hypothetical models involving virulence triggered by reduced in carbon-flux through the glycolytic pathways are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Z. Hu
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (FZH); (GDE)
| | - Jarosław E. Król
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Chen Hsuan Sherry Tsai
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Rory A. Eutsey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Luisa N. Hiller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Bhaswati Sen
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Azad Ahmed
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Todd Hillman
- Center of Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Farrel J. Buchinsky
- Center of Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Laura Nistico
- Center of Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Bethany Dice
- Center of Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Mark Longwell
- Center of Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Edward Horsey
- Center of Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Garth D. Ehrlich
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Center of Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (FZH); (GDE)
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Kadam A, Eutsey RA, Rosch J, Miao X, Longwell M, Xu W, Woolford CA, Hillman T, Motib AS, Yesilkaya H, Mitchell AP, Hiller NL. Promiscuous signaling by a regulatory system unique to the pandemic PMEN1 pneumococcal lineage. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006339. [PMID: 28542565 PMCID: PMC5436883 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a leading cause of death and disease in children and elderly. Genetic variability among isolates from this species is high. These differences, often the product of gene loss or gene acquisition via horizontal gene transfer, can endow strains with new molecular pathways, diverse phenotypes, and ecological advantages. PMEN1 is a widespread and multidrug-resistant pneumococcal lineage. Using comparative genomics we have determined that a regulator-peptide signal transduction system, TprA2/PhrA2, was acquired by a PMEN1 ancestor and is encoded by the vast majority of strains in this lineage. We show that TprA2 is a negative regulator of a PMEN1-specific gene encoding a lanthionine-containing peptide (lcpA). The activity of TprA2 is modulated by its cognate peptide, PhrA2. Expression of phrA2 is density-dependent and its C-terminus relieves TprA2-mediated inhibition leading to expression of lcpA. In the pneumococcal mouse model with intranasal inoculation, TprA2 had no effect on nasopharyngeal colonization but was associated with decreased lung disease via its control of lcpA levels. Furthermore, the TprA2/PhrA2 system has integrated into the pneumococcal regulatory circuitry, as PhrA2 activates TprA/PhrA, a second regulator-peptide signal transduction system widespread among pneumococci. Extracellular PhrA2 can release TprA-mediated inhibition, activating expression of TprA-repressed genes in both PMEN1 cells as well as another pneumococcal lineage. Acquisition of TprA2/PhrA2 has provided PMEN1 isolates with a mechanism to promote commensalism over dissemination and control inter-strain gene regulation. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), an important human pathogen, exhibits a dual lifestyle featuring asymptomatic colonization of the host on the one hand as well as infliction of severe local and systemic disease on the other. In pneumococcal strains, differences in gene possession often lead to varied phenotypic outcomes. Epidemiologically, pandemic strains of the PMEN1 lineage show high prevalence in disease as well as carriage, posing an interesting question on the composition and function of the genomic toolkit that leads to their widespread success. Here, we characterize TprA2/PhrA2 sensory system, a genomic region acquired exclusively by the PMEN1 strains. The system consists of a regulator-peptide pair that was horizontally acquired into PMEN1 along with its regulatory circuitry. The regulatory peptide PhrA2 is receptive to cell density of PMEN1 cells and is an example of elegant communication signaling between bacterial cells. The regulatory influence of PhrA2 extends beyond PMEN1 cells such that it controls genes of a widespread signaling system and virulence regulon in non-PMEN1 strains. This work contributes to the knowledge of peptide-communication signals in pneumococcus and further adds a novel mechanism by which an ecologically successful linage may modify the transcriptomic and functional landscape of a multi-strain pneumococcal community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anagha Kadam
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Rory A. Eutsey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jason Rosch
- Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Xinyu Miao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mark Longwell
- Center of Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Wenjie Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Carol A. Woolford
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Todd Hillman
- Pittsburgh Ear Associates, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Anfal Shakir Motib
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Hasan Yesilkaya
- Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron P. Mitchell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - N. Luisa Hiller
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Center of Excellence in Biofilm Research, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Grande R, Nistico L, Sambanthamoorthy K, Longwell M, Iannitelli A, Cellini L, Di Stefano A, Hall Stoodley L, Stoodley P. Temporal expression of agrB, cidA, and alsS in the early development of Staphylococcus aureus UAMS-1 biofilm formation and the structural role of extracellular DNA and carbohydrates. Pathog Dis 2014; 70:414-22. [PMID: 24535842 DOI: 10.1111/2049-632x.12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 10/30/2013] [Revised: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is an important component of the extracellular polymeric substance matrix and is important in the establishment and persistence of Staphylococcus aureus UAMS-1 biofilms. The aim of the study was to determine the temporal expression of genes involved in early biofilm formation and eDNA production. We used qPCR to investigate expression of agrB, which is associated with secreted virulence factors and biofilm dispersal, cidA, which is associated with biofilm adherence and genomic DNA release, and alsS, which is associated with cell lysis, eDNA release and acid tolerance. The contribution of eDNA to the stability of the biofilm matrix was assessed by digesting with DNase I (Pulmozyme) and quantifying structure by confocal microscopy and comstat image analysis. AgrB expression initially increased at 24 h but then dramatically decreased at 72 h in an inverse relationship to biomass, supporting its role in regulating biofilm dispersal. cidA and alsS expression steadily increased over 72 h, suggesting that eDNA was an important component of early biofilm development. DNase I had no effect on biomass, but did cause the biofilms to become more heterogeneous. Carbohydrates in the matrix appeared to play an important role in structural stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Grande
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacy, University 'G. d'Annunzio', Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Hu FZ, Eutsey R, Ahmed A, Frazao N, Powell E, Hiller NL, Hillman T, Buchinsky FJ, Boissy R, Janto B, Kress-Bennett J, Longwell M, Ezzo S, Post JC, Nesin M, Tomasz A, Ehrlich GD. In vivo capsular switch in Streptococcus pneumoniae--analysis by whole genome sequencing. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47983. [PMID: 23144841 PMCID: PMC3493582 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 09/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Two multidrug resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae – SV35-T23 (capsular type 23F) and SV36-T3 (capsular type 3) were recovered from the nasopharynx of two adult patients during an outbreak of pneumococcal disease in a New York hospital in 1996. Both strains belonged to the pandemic lineage PMEN1 but they differed strikingly in virulence when tested in the mouse model of IP infection: as few as 1000 CFU of SV36 killed all mice within 24 hours after inoculation while SV35-T23 was avirulent. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the two isolates was performed (i) to test if these two isolates belonging to the same clonal type and recovered from an identical epidemiological scenario only differed in their capsular genes? and (ii) to test if the vast difference in virulence between the strains was mostly – or exclusively – due to the type III capsule. WGS demonstrated extensive differences between the two isolates including over 2500 single nucleotide polymorphisms in core genes and also differences in 36 genetic determinants: 25 of which were unique to SV35-T23 and 11 unique to strain SV36-T3. Nineteen of these differences were capsular genes and 9 bacteriocin genes. Using genetic transformation in the laboratory, the capsular region of SV35-T23 was replaced by the type 3 capsular genes from SV36-T3 to generate the recombinant SV35-T3* which was as virulent as the parental strain SV36-T3* in the murine model and the type 3 capsule was the major virulence factor in the chinchilla model as well. On the other hand, a careful comparison of strains SV36-T3 and the laboratory constructed SV35-T3* in the chinchilla model suggested that some additional determinants present in SV36 but not in the laboratory recombinant may also contribute to the progression of middle ear disease. The nature of this determinants remains to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Z. Hu
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Rory Eutsey
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Azad Ahmed
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Nelson Frazao
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica Oeiras, Portugal
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Evan Powell
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - N. Luisa Hiller
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Todd Hillman
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Farrel J. Buchinsky
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert Boissy
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Janto
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Kress-Bennett
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mark Longwell
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Suzanne Ezzo
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - J. Christopher Post
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Deparment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mirjana Nesin
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Alexander Tomasz
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Garth D. Ehrlich
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Deparment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Stoodley P, Debeer D, Longwell M, Nistico L, Hall-Stoodley L, Wenig B, Krespi YP. Tonsillolith: not just a stone but a living biofilm. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2009; 141:316-21. [PMID: 19716006 DOI: 10.1016/j.otohns.2009.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/04/2009] [Revised: 05/05/2009] [Accepted: 05/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the morphology and activity of tonsilloliths, demonstrating oxygen respiration, denitrification, and acidification on exposure to sucrose. STUDY DESIGN Tonsilloliths were extracted in atraumatic conditions during tonsillectomy from 16 adults and sent to two different laboratories for histological, bacteriological, and biofilm studies under sterile conditions. SETTING Multicenter laboratory study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Multiple tonsilloliths from two patients examined by confocal microscopy and microelectrodes were used to measure aerobic/anaerobic respiration and acid production (dissolved oxygen, nitrous oxide, pH) when exposed to saliva following addition of sucrose and fluoride. RESULTS Morphologically, tonsilloliths were similar to dental biofilms, containing corncob structures, filaments, and cocci. Microelectrodes showed that the microorganisms respired oxygen and nitrate. The oxygen concentration in the center of the tonsillolith was depleted to approximately one-tenth of that of the overlying fluid. The addition of sucrose resulted in acid production within the tonsillolith, dropping the pH from 7.3 to 5.8. The data showed stratification with oxygen respiration at the outer layer of tonsillolith, denitrification toward the middle, and acidification toward the bottom. The depletion of oxygen and acid production following addition of sucrose may allow the proliferation of anaerobic/acidophilic bacteria. Fluoride suppressed acid production in the presence of sucrose. CONCLUSIONS Tonsilloliths exhibit biofilm structure and the formation of chemical gradients through physiological activity. Although tonsillectomy is an option for treating cryptic infections, understanding the morphology and biofilm characteristics of tonsilloliths may stimulate scientists to use limited or targeted remedies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Stoodley
- Center for Genomic Science, Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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7
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O'May GA, Jacobsen SM, Longwell M, Stoodley P, Mobley HLT, Shirtliff ME. The high-affinity phosphate transporter Pst in Proteus mirabilis HI4320 and its importance in biofilm formation. Microbiology (Reading) 2009; 155:1523-1535. [PMID: 19372157 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.026500-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis causes urinary tract infections (UTIs) in individuals requiring long-term indwelling catheterization. The pathogenesis of this uropathogen is mediated by a number of virulence factors and the formation of crystalline biofilms. In addition, micro-organisms have evolved complex systems for the acquisition of nutrients, including the phosphate-specific transport system, which has been shown to be important in biofilm formation and pathogenesis. A functional Pst system is important during UTIs caused by P. mirabilis HI4320, since transposon mutants in the PstS periplasmic binding protein and the PstA permease protein were attenuated in the CBA mouse model of UTI. These mutants displayed a defect in biofilm formation when grown in human urine. This study focuses on a comparison of the proteomes during biofilm and planktonic growth in phosphate-rich medium and human urine, and microscopic investigations of biofilms formed by the pst mutants. Our data suggest that (i) the Deltapst mutants, and particularly the DeltapstS mutant, are defective in biofilm formation, and (ii) the proteomes of these mutants differ significantly from that of the wild-type. Therefore, since the Pst system of P. mirabilis HI4320 negatively regulates biofilm formation, this system is important for the pathogenesis of these organisms during complicated UTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A O'May
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland - Baltimore, Dental School, 650 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - S M Jacobsen
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland - Baltimore, Dental School, 650 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - M Longwell
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA
| | - P Stoodley
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA
| | - H L T Mobley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - M E Shirtliff
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland - Baltimore, Dental School, 650 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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