Alterations in the Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm transcriptome following interaction with whole human blood. Issue 3 (10th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: França, Angela; Carvalhais, Virgínia; Maira‐Litrán, Tomás; Vilanova, Manuel; Cerca, Nuno; Pier, Gerald
• Is Part Of: Pathogens and disease. Volume 70:Issue 3(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 444
• Page End: 448
• Publication Date: 2014-02-10
• 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.12130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-632X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="fim12130-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Staphylococcus epidermidis</italic> biofilm formation on the surface of intravenous catheters is responsible for 22% of the cases of bloodstream infections, in patients in intensive care units in the USA. The ability of <italic>S. epidermidis</italic> to withstand the high bactericidal activity of human blood is therefore crucial for systemic dissemination. To identify the genes involved in the bacterium's survival, the transcriptome of <italic>S. epidermidis</italic> biofilms, upon contact with human blood, was assessed using an <italic>ex vivo</italic> model. Our results showed an increased transcription of genes involved in biosynthesis and metabolism of amino acids, small molecules, carboxylic and organic acids, and cellular ketones. One of the striking changes observed 4 h of <italic>S. epidermidis</italic> exposure to human blood was an increased expression of genes involved in iron utilization. This finding suggests that iron acquisition is an important event for <italic>S. epidermidis</italic> survival in human blood.</p> </abstract>