Biofilm formation and its impact on environmental survival and antibiotic resistance of Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis strains

Abstract

Several Mycoplasma species can form biofilm, facilitating their survival in the environment, and shielding them from therapeutic agents. The aim of this study was to examine the biofilm-forming ability and its potential effects on environmental survival and antibiotic resistance in Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis, the clinically and economically most important waterfowl Mycoplasma species. The biofilm-forming ability of 32 M. anserisalpingitidis strains was examined by crystal violet assay. Biofilms and planktonic cultures of the selected strains were exposed to a temperature of 50 °C (20 and 30 min), to desiccation at room temperature (16 and 24 h), or to various concentrations of eight different antibiotics. Crystal violet staining revealed great diversity in the biofilm-forming ability of the 32 tested M. anserisalpingitidis strains, with positive staining in more than half of them. Biofilms were found to be more resistant to heat and desiccation than planktonic cultures, while no correlation was shown between biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility. Our results indicate that M. anserisalpingitidis biofilms may contribute to the persistence of the organisms in the environment, which should be taken into account for proper management. Antibiotic susceptibility was not affected by biofilm formation; however, it is important to note that correlations were examined only in vitro.

Study and analysis of the structural-biochemical characteristics in Mollicutes biofilms formation

“…Biofilm formation contributes to the persistence of Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis in the environments from which the isolates were obtained. Antibiotic susceptibility was not affected by biofilm formation; however, it is important to highlight that the correlation was only evaluated in vitro [6].…”

Drug sensitivity and genome-wide analysis of two strains of Mycoplasma gallisepticum with different biofilm intensity

“…Due to the absence of cell walls and defense mechanisms, mycoplasma typically has a limited lifespan in the external environment ( Justice-Allen et al, 2010 ). The formation of biofilms helps mycoplasma survive in the environment outside of its host ( Beko et al, 2022 ). Thus far, only a limited number of studies have demonstrated the ability of certain Mycoplasma gallisepticum strains to develop biofilms, and subsequent investigations in this area are needed ( Perez et al, 2020 ).…”

Phenotypic and genetic insights into efflux pump mechanism in Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis

“…Beside their capability to inhibit the expulsion of most of the clinically important antibiotics from the intracellular environment, there are recent publications about their role in the inhibition of biofilm formation by interfering in the process of releasing the quorum sensing molecules by efflux pumps which facilitate biofilm matrix formation (AlMatar et al, 2021). Based on previous studies (Bekő et al, 2022), biofilm formation can assist M. anserisalpingitidis to survive in the environment. Considering the observed effects of the EPI CCCP against M. anserisalpingitidis in the present study, and the probable interference with biofilm formation, it is assumed, that the use of EPIs would increase the efficiency of targeted antibiotic therapy in the control of this pathogen.…”