Biofilm-growing intestinal anaerobic bacteria

Abstract

Sessile growth of anaerobic bacteria from the human intestinal tract has been poorly investigated, so far. We recently reported data on the close association existing between biliary stent clogging and polymicrobial biofilm development in its lumen. By exploiting the explanted stents as a rich source of anaerobic bacterial strains belonging to the genera Bacteroides, Clostridium, Fusobacterium, Finegoldia, Prevotella, and Veillonella, the present study focused on their ability to adhere, to grow in sessile mode and to form in vitro mono- or dual-species biofilms. Experiments on dual-species biofilm formation were planned on the basis of the anaerobic strains isolated from each clogged biliary stent, by selecting those in which a couple of anaerobic strains belonging to different species contributed to the polymicrobial biofilm development. Then, strains were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy to reveal if they are able to grow as mono- and/or dual-species biofilms. As far as we know, this is the first report on the ability to adhere and form mono/dual-species biofilms exhibited by strains belonging to the species Bacteroides oralis, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium baratii, Clostridium fallax, Clostridium bifermentans, Finegoldia magna, and Fusobacterium necrophorum.

Biofilm Formation by Clinical Isolates and Its Relevance to Clinical Infections

“…and F. necrophorum were strong biofi lm producers, whereas C. bifermentans was a weak biofi lm producer. These isolates were subsequently examined in vitro, confi rming strong 48-h biofi lm production for B. fragilis , F. necrophorum , P. intermedia , and Veillonella spp., moderate for B. oralis and weak for P. distasonis (Donelli et al 2012 ). Also notable in this study was the moderate biofi lm production demonstrated by a strain of Clostridium diffi cile , and strong production by four additional species ( C. baratii , C. bifermentans , C. fallax , C. perfringens ) and F. magna .…”

Byproduct Cross Feeding and Community Stability in an In Silico Biofilm Model of the Gut Microbiome

“…While the precise spatial organization of gut microbes is currently unknown, the structure likely includes biofilm growth associated with host mucosa and epithelial tissue [57]. Indeed the literature provides substantial support for the hypothesis that some gut microbes organize into spatially structured multispecies biofilms [58,59]. We performed single species flux balance analysis and biofilm simulations to investigate the growth characteristic and byproduct secretion patterns of the three isolated species.…”

Biofilm formation byClostridium difficile

“…Recently the ability to form monoand duo-species biofilms for several gut bacteria such as Bacteroides oralis, various Clostridium species including C. difficile, Finegoldia magna and Fusobacterium necrophorum was shown in vitro. 52 C. difficile colonization of the gut and mechanisms involved in this process in vivo are poorly understood, but it is likely that formation of vancomycin (20 μg/mL), and C. difficile biofilm formation was induced when bacteria were exposed to sub-inhibitory and inhibitory concentrations of vancomycin (0.25 μg/mL and 0.5 μg/ mL, respectively). 19 Thus, in the case of C. difficile, biofilms may have multiple roles depending on the antibiotic concentrations in the environment.…”