Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis on peritoneal dialysis catheters and the effects of extracellular products from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Issue 3 (3rd April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pihl, Maria; Arvidsson, Anna; Skepö, Marie; Nilsson, Martin; Givskov, Michael; Tolker‐Nielsen, Tim; Svensäter, Gunnel; Davies, Julia R.
• Is Part Of: Pathogens and disease. Volume 67:Issue 3(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 192
• Page End: 198
• Publication Date: 2013-04-03
• Subjects: Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Pathogenesis -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Periodicals; Systems biology -- Periodicals; 616.904105
• DOI: 10.1111/2049-632X.12035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-632X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="fim12035-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Biofilm formation by <italic>Staphylococcus epidermidis</italic> is a cause of infections related to peritoneal dialysis (PD). We have used a PD catheter flow‐cell model in combination with confocal scanning laser microscopy and atomic force microscopy to study biofilm formation by <italic>S. epidermidis</italic>. Adherence to serum‐coated catheters was four times greater than to uncoated ones, suggesting that <italic>S. epidermidis</italic> binds to serum proteins on the catheter surface. <italic>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</italic> biofilm supernatant interfered with the formation of a serum protein coat thereby reducing the capacity for biofilm formation in <italic>S. epidermidis</italic>. Supernatants from Δ<italic>pelA, </italic> Δ<italic>pslBCD</italic> and Δ<italic>rhlAB</italic> strains of <italic>P. aeruginosa</italic> showed no differences from the wild‐type supernatant indicating that the effect on serum coat formation was not due to rhamnolipids or the PelA and PslBCD polysaccharides. Supernatant from <italic>P. aeruginosa</italic> also dispersed established <italic>S. epidermidis</italic> biofilms. Supernatants lacking PelA or PslBCD showed no differences from the wild type but that from a Δ<italic>rhlAB</italic> strain, showed reduced, but not abolished, capacity for dispersal. This suggests that rhamnolipids are involved but not wholly responsible for the effect. Thus, supernatants from <italic>P. aeruginosa</italic> contain promising substances for the prevention and treatment of biofilm infections, although further work is required to identity more active components.</p> </abstract>