The application of biofilm science to the study and control of chronic bacterial infections

Costerton, William; Veeh, Richard Harold; Shirtliff, Mark E.; Pasmore, Mark; Post, Chris W.; Ehrlich, Garth D.

doi:10.1172/jci20365

Cited by 249 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Biofilms are multicellular communities of bacteria that attach to abiotic or biotic surfaces and produce an extracellular polymeric matrix (5). The biofilm-forming ability of STEC has been investigated under different conditions, using different STEC isolates representing different serotypes and origins (6)(7)(8).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biofilm-Forming Abilities of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates Associated with Human Infections

Vogeleer

Tremblay

Jubelin³

et al. 2016

Appl Environ Microbiol

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bForming biofilms may be a survival strategy of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli to enable it to persist in the environment and the food industry. Here, we evaluate and characterize the biofilm-forming ability of 39 isolates of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolates recovered from human infection and belonging to seropathotypes A, B, or C. The presence and/or production of biofilm factors such as curli, cellulose, autotransporter, and fimbriae were investigated. The polymeric matrix of these biofilms was analyzed by confocal microscopy and by enzymatic digestion. Cell viability and matrix integrity were examined after sanitizer treatments. Isolates of the seropathotype A (O157:H7 and O157:NM), which have the highest relative incidence of human infection, had a greater ability to form biofilms than isolates of seropathotype B or C. Seropathotype A isolates were unique in their ability to produce cellulose and poly-N-acetylglucosamine. The integrity of the biofilms was dependent on proteins. Two autotransporter genes, ehaB and espP, and two fimbrial genes, z1538 and lpf2, were identified as potential genetic determinants for biofilm formation. Interestingly, the ability of several isolates from seropathotype A to form biofilms was associated with their ability to agglutinate yeast in a mannose-independent manner. We consider this an unidentified biofilmassociated factor produced by those isolates. Treatment with sanitizers reduced the viability of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli but did not completely remove the biofilm matrix. Overall, our data indicate that biofilm formation could contribute to the persistence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and specifically seropathotype A isolates in the environment. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, including enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), are food-borne and waterborne human enteric pathogens responsible for infections. They are associated with important public health concerns in developed countries. Symptoms associated with STEC infections range from abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea to postinfectious complications, such as hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS, a life-threatening complication of STEC infections, is a consequence of Shiga toxin production. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), more than 30,000 cases of STEC infections occur each year in Canada (1). Environmentally, the main reservoir for STEC is cattle. Transmission of STEC to humans typically is associated with the consumption of contaminated food such as undercooked beef, fresh produce, unpasteurized milk, or contaminated drinking water (2), but these pathogens also can be transmitted from person to person or via direct contact with animals or their feces.The 2003 Karmali seropathotype model classifies STEC into seropathotypes based on their reported incidence in human disease, outbreaks, and/or association with the development of severe symptoms in humans (3). Serotypes frequently responsible for hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and HUS, ...

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biofilm-Forming Abilities of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates Associated with Human Infections

Vogeleer

Tremblay

Jubelin³

et al. 2016

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Nevertheless, bacterial infections continue to be a serious threat-mostly when onset of antimicrobial therapy is delayed, resistance of the microbes emerges, or chronic persistence develops (1)(2)(3). Although chronic infections are substantially mitigated by intensified antimicrobial therapy, antibiotics usually fail to resolve the infection, and very limited treatment options remain (4,5). In this phase, bacteria often adopt a biofilm mode of growth: i.e., the bacterial community produces a protective extracellular matrix against antimicrobial therapy and the defense mechanisms of the host (6,7).…”

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confidence: 99%

In Vivo Efficacy of Antimicrobials against Biofilm-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pawar

Komor

Kasnitz

et al. 2015

Antimicrob Agents Chemother

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e Patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF) are commonly affected by chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infections. This is the main cause for the high disease severity. In this study, we demonstrate that P. aeruginosa is able to efficiently colonize murine solid tumors after intravenous injection and to form biofilms in this tissue. Biofilm formation was evident by electron microscopy. Such structures could not be observed with transposon mutants, which were defective in biofilm formation. Comparative transcriptional profiling of P. aeruginosa indicated physiological similarity of the bacteria in the murine tumor model and the CF lung. The efficacy of currently available antibiotics for treatment of P. aeruginosa-infected CF lungs, such as ciprofloxacin, colistin, and tobramycin, could be tested in the tumor model. We found that clinically recommended doses of these antibiotics were unable to eliminate wild-type P. aeruginosa PA14 while being effective against biofilm-defective mutants. However, colistin-tobramycin combination therapy significantly reduced the number of P. aeruginosa PA14 cells in tumors at lower concentrations. Hence, we present a versatile experimental system that is providing a platform to test approved and newly developed antibiofilm compounds.

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“…Biofilm formation is known to lead to chronic infection with recalcitrance to traditional treatment [11,12], similar to what has been described for onychomycosis. Biofilms are also known to lead to similar symptoms including persistent inflammation and tissue damage [11]. Moreover a significant amount of microbial infections are known to be a result of biofilm formation [13].…”

Section: Biofilms and Onychomycosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Antibiofilm Treatment for Onychomycosis and Chronic Fungal Infections

Gupta

Carviel

Shear

2017

Skin Appendage Disord

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Onychomycosis is a difficult-to-treat chronic fungal infection of the nail. The chronic nature of onychomycosis, with relevance to current treatment practices, could be attributed to host anergy, development of increased virulence in causal agents (multidrug resistance efflux pump), and biofilms. Biofilms must be disrupted prior to antifungal treatment suggesting the necessity of combination treatment. Once the biofilm has been disrupted, further techniques in addition to antifungal usage are suggested to ensure a positive prognosis including use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy or low-frequency surface acoustic waves. Overall, with continued success in developing antibiofilm treatment for bacterial and yeast pathogens, therapy can be more quickly expanded to dermatophytes. With a rise in predisposing factors, it is important to preemptively address treatment for this disease with continued investigation into antibiofilm therapy including optimal treatment combinations and dosages targeted specifically at dermatophytes.

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The application of biofilm science to the study and control of chronic bacterial infections

Cited by 249 publications

References 54 publications

Biofilm-Forming Abilities of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates Associated with Human Infections

Biofilm-Forming Abilities of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates Associated with Human Infections

In Vivo Efficacy of Antimicrobials against Biofilm-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Antibiofilm Treatment for Onychomycosis and Chronic Fungal Infections

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