Description of Campylobacter jejuni Bf, an atypical aero-tolerant strain. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rodrigues, Ramila; Pocheron, Anne-Lise; Hernould, Mathieu; Haddad, Nabila; Tresse, Odile; Cappelier, Jean-Michel
• Is Part Of: Gut pathogens. Volume 7:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Campylobacter jejuni -- Oxygen tolerance -- Hydrogen peroxide -- Paraquat -- Cell shape; Gastrointestinal system -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; 616.3
• DOI: 10.1186/s13099-015-0077-x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-4749

Abstract

Abstract Background Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of bacterial enteritis worldwide. This microaerophilic bacterium can survive in aerobic environments, suggesting it has protective mechanisms against oxidative stress. The clinicalC. jejuni Bf strain is characterized by an increased resistance to oxygen. This study aimed to characterize the behavior of the clinicalC. jejuni Bf strain under an aerobic atmosphere and in response to ROS-promoter agents. Methods Growth was studied in both aerobic and microaerobic conditions using classic cultivable methods. Electronic microscopy andmreB gene expression were used to evaluate the morphology of this strain under aerobic conditions. The survival under oxidative stress was tested in the presence of different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) and paraquat (PQ). Results The results showed thatC. jejuni Bf strain can grow aerobically, unlike other strains ofC. jejuni tested. Cells ofC. jejuni Bf exposed to oxidative stress presented changes in morphology and the genemreB, responsible for maintaining the bacillary cell morphology, was down-expressed. In aerobically acclimated conditions, C. jejuni Bf exhibited a higher survival rate of 52 % in the presence of H2 O2 (1 mM) compared to the reference strain NCTC 11168. Concentrations above 1 mM PQ were lethal for the reference strain but not forC. jejuni Bf. Conclusions Taken together, these data highlight the resistance to oxidative stress conditions ofC. jejuni Bf, indicating that this microorganism seems more adapted to survival in hostile environmental conditions.