Interactions of microorganisms within a urinary catheter polymicrobial biofilm model

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Date

2022-09

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley

Abstract

Biofilms are often polymicrobial in nature, which can impact their behavior and overall structure, often resulting in an increase in biomass and enhanced antimicrobial resistance. Using plate counts and locked nucleic acid/2′-O-methyl-RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (LNA/2′OMe-FISH), we studied the interactions of four species commonly associated with catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI): Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Proteus mirabilis. Eleven combinations of biofilms were grown on silicone coupons placed in 24-well plates for 24 h, 37°C, in artificial urine medium (AUM). Results showed that P. mirabilis was the dominant species and was able to inhibit both E. coli and C. albicans growth. In the absence of P. mirabilis, an antagonistic relationship between E. coli and C. albicans was observed, with the former being dominant. E. faecalis growth was not affected in any combination, showing a more mutualistic relationship with the other species. Imaging results correlated with the plate count data and provided visual verification of species undetected using the viable plate count. Moreover, the three bacterial species showed overall good repeatability SD (Sr) values (0.1–0.54) in all combinations tested, whereas C. albicans had higher repeatability Sr values (0.36–1.18). The study showed the complexity of early-stage interactions in polymicrobial biofilms. These interactions could serve as a starting point when considering targets for preventing or treating CAUTI biofilms containing these species.

Description

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Interactions of microorganisms within a urinary catheter polymicrobial biofilm model. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 120, 1 p239-249 (2022)], which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.28241. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions: https://authorservices.wiley.com/author-resources/Journal-Authors/licensing/self-archiving.html#3.

Keywords

Biofilm, CAUTI, polymicrobial, late count, FISH, interactions

Citation

Allkja, J., Goeres, D. M., Azevedo, A. S., & Azevedo, N. F. (2022). Interactions of microorganisms within a urinary catheter polymicrobial biofilm model. Biotechnology and Bioengineering.
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