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Microorganisms Jun 2024The World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized developing new drugs against specific bacteria and fungi, such as and spp. While is commonly called the...
The World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized developing new drugs against specific bacteria and fungi, such as and spp. While is commonly called the "cure-everything", its scientifically proven benefits are limited to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Therefore, this study aims to determine the spectrum of antimicrobial activity of and assess its cytotoxicity. Thus, broth microdilution test was conducted according to the CLSI M7-A9 and M27-A3 reference methods. After screening, microbial species with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were selected for biofilm tests. These tests evaluated biomass using the crystal violet (CV) test, metabolic activity using the MTT assay, and structural analysis via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Cytotoxicity was evaluated in human gingival fibroblasts (FMM-1). There were reductions of 29.4 and 42.7% in CV and MTT assays for spp. biofilm. and biofilms showed a decrease of 15.7 and 28.6%, respectively. Cell viability tests indicated 55.1, 56.9, and 65.5% of viability after contact with 1.93, 0.96, and 0.48 mg/mL of the extract, respectively. The extract showed antimicrobial action, displayed MIC values, and antibiofilm action on , and . The cytotoxicity on the FMM-1 cell line was dose-dependent. Therefore, extract holds significant potential for developing new drugs.
PubMed: 38930547
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061165 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024Bacteria (including disinfection- and antibiotic-resistant bacteria) are abundant in the consumer water cycle, where they may cause disease, and lead to biofouling and... (Review)
Review
Bacteria (including disinfection- and antibiotic-resistant bacteria) are abundant in the consumer water cycle, where they may cause disease, and lead to biofouling and infrastructure damage in distributions systems, subsequently resulting in significant economic losses. Bacteriophages and their associated enzymes may then offer a biological control solution for application within the water sector. Lytic bacteriophages are of particular interest as biocontrol agents as their narrow host range can be exploited for the targeted removal of specific bacteria in a designated environment. Bacteriophages can also be used to improve processes such as wastewater treatment, while bacteriophage-derived enzymes can be applied to combat biofouling based on their effectiveness against preformed biofilms. However, the host range, environmental stability, bacteriophage resistance and biosafety risks are some of the factors that need to be considered prior to the large-scale application of these bacterial viruses. Characteristics of bacteriophages that highlight their potential as biocontrol agents are thus outlined in this review, as well as the potential application of bacteriophage biocontrol throughout the consumer water cycle. Additionally, the limitations of bacteriophage biocontrol and corresponding mitigation strategies are outlined, including the use of engineered bacteriophages for improved host ranges, environmental stability and the antimicrobial re-sensitisation of bacteria. Finally, the potential public and environmental risks associated with large-scale bacteriophage biocontrol application are considered, and alternative applications of bacteriophages to enhance the functioning of the consumer water cycle, including their use as water quality or treatment indicators and microbial source tracking markers, are discussed.
PubMed: 38930545
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061163 -
Microorganisms May 2024This study extensively analyzed the bacterial information of biofilms and activated sludge in oxic reactors of full-scale moving bed biofilm reactor-integrated...
This study extensively analyzed the bacterial information of biofilms and activated sludge in oxic reactors of full-scale moving bed biofilm reactor-integrated fixed-film activated sludge (MBBR-IFAS) systems. The bacterial communities of biofilms and activated sludge differed statistically (R = 0.624, < 0.01). The denitrifying genera , , , and were more abundant in activated sludge ( < 0.05), while comammox was more abundant in biofilms ( < 0.05), with an average relative abundance of 8.13%. and had weak co-occurrence relationships with other genera in the MBBR-IFAS systems. Potential function analysis revealed no differences in pathways at levels 1 and 2 based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) between biofilms and activated sludge. However, in terms of pathways at level 3, biofilms had more potential in 26 pathways, including various organic biodegradation and membrane and signal transportation pathways. In comparison, activated sludge had more potential in only five pathways, including glycan biosynthesis and metabolism. With respect to nitrogen metabolism, biofilms had greater potential for nitrification (ammonia oxidation) (M00528), and complete nitrification (comammox) (M00804) concretely accounted for methane/ammonia monooxygenase (K10944, K10945, and K10946) and hydroxylamine dehydrogenase (K10535). This study provides a theoretical basis for MBBR-IFAS systems from the perspective of microorganisms.
PubMed: 38930504
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061121 -
Microorganisms May 2024Nowadays, European seabass () aquaculture is undergoing a significant expansion. Nevertheless, the aquaculture industry is plagued by vibriosis. The spatial and temporal...
Nowadays, European seabass () aquaculture is undergoing a significant expansion. Nevertheless, the aquaculture industry is plagued by vibriosis. The spatial and temporal dynamics of were studied on a European seabass farm in northern France during seven months of 2022. Concrete specimens were suspended and water was pumped from different depths (0.3 m, 2.15 m and 4 m deep), providing insights into the biofilm and planktonic dynamics. The abundances of , in the biofilm and free-living forms, were positively correlated. The water parameters revealed seasonal fluctuations in temperature, pH, and salinity, with no significant differences observed across the water column. Quantification of revealed no significant differences between depths, but seasonality, with peak abundances observed in August, correlated with temperature increases. Principal component analysis identified temperature as a primary driver, but also additional parameters, such as salinity and pH. Vibriosis occurred during the sampling period, providing valuable insights into the conditions before, during, and after the outbreaks. This study underscores the importance of understanding behaviour in aquaculture, particularly in the context of global warming, for effective disease management and sustainable practices.
PubMed: 38930486
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061104 -
Microorganisms May 2024Probiotic biofilms have been beneficial in the fight against infections, restoring the equilibrium of the host's gut microbiota, and enhancing host health. They are...
Probiotic biofilms have been beneficial in the fight against infections, restoring the equilibrium of the host's gut microbiota, and enhancing host health. They are considered a novel strategy for probiotic gut colonization. In this case, we evaluated the effects of various active substances from traditional Chinese medicine on Nissle 1917 (EcN) to determine if they promote biofilm formation. It was shown that 8-64 μg/mL of oleanolic acid increased the development of EcN biofilm. Additionally, we observed that oleanolic acid can effectively suppress biofilm formation in pathogenic bacteria such as and Next, we assessed the amount of EcN extracellular polysaccharides, the number of live bacteria, their metabolic activity, the hydrophobicity of their surface, and the shape of their biofilms using laser confocal microscopy. Through transcriptome analysis, a total of 349 differentially expressed genes were identified, comprising 134 upregulated and 215 downregulated genes. GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that oleanolic acid functions are through the regulation of bacterial motility, the iron absorption system, the two-component system, and adhesion pathways. These findings suggest that the main effects of oleanolic acid are to prevent bacterial motility, increase initial adhesion, and encourage the development of EcN biofilms. In addition, oleanolic acid interacts with iron absorption to cooperatively control the production of EcN biofilms within an optimal concentration range. Taking these results together, this study suggests that oleanolic acid may enhance probiotic biofilm formation in the intestines, presenting new avenues for probiotic product development.
PubMed: 38930479
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061097 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Jun 2024Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), but infections pose a significant threat to its success. Current... (Review)
Review
Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), but infections pose a significant threat to its success. Current guidelines lack antifungal recommendations, despite rising fungal infection rates post-IPP surgery. This review examines epidemiology, risk factors (including diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, and obesity), and pathogenesis, highlighting the role of biofilm formation in device contamination. Clinical manifestations vary from acute to delayed, with fungal biofilms presenting challenges in diagnosis. Prophylactic strategies, including broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungals, are crucial, with evidence suggesting a 92% reduction in infections. With fungal infections showing lower salvage rates, management involves culture-guided treatment, irrigation, and oral antibiotics. Future research aims to understand biofilm mechanisms and develop biomaterials to reduce infection rates. Implementing antifungal therapy, along with standard practices like the no-touch technique and antibiotic dips, is crucial in preventing IPP infections.
PubMed: 38929865
DOI: 10.3390/jpm14060644 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024() is an opportunistic pathogen frequently isolated from cutaneous chronic wounds. How , in the presence of oxidative stress (OS), colonizes chronic wounds and forms a...
() is an opportunistic pathogen frequently isolated from cutaneous chronic wounds. How , in the presence of oxidative stress (OS), colonizes chronic wounds and forms a biofilm is still unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes in gene expression seen when PA is challenged with the high levels of OS present in chronic wounds. We used a biofilm-forming strain isolated from the chronic wounds of our murine model (RPA) and performed a qPCR to obtain gene expression patterns as RPA developed a biofilm in vitro in the presence of high levels of OS, and then compared the findings in vivo, in our mouse model of chronic wounds. We found that the planktonic bacteria under OS conditions overexpressed quorum sensing genes that are important for the bacteria to communicate with each other, antioxidant stress genes important to reduce OS in the microenvironment for survival, biofilm formation genes and virulence genes. Additionally, we performed RNAseq in vivo and identified the activation of novel genes/pathways of the Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) involved in RPA pathogenicity. In conclusion, RPA appears to survive the high OS microenvironment in chronic wounds and colonizes these wounds by turning on virulence, biofilm-forming and survival genes. These findings reveal pathways that may be promising targets for new therapies aimed at disrupting -containing biofilms immediately after debridement to facilitate the treatment of chronic human wounds.
PubMed: 38929094
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060655 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease caused by infection with periodontopathogenic bacteria. Oral care is essential to prevent and control periodontal disease,...
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease caused by infection with periodontopathogenic bacteria. Oral care is essential to prevent and control periodontal disease, which affects oral and systemic health. However, many oral hygiene products currently on the market were developed as disinfectants, and their intense irritation makes their use difficult for young children and older people. This study investigated the antibacterial effects of prunin laurate (Pru-C12) and its analogs on periodontopathogenic bacteria, (). Pru-C12 and its analogs inhibited in vitro bacterial growth at more than 10 μM and biofilm formation at 50 µM. Among its analogs, only Pru-C12 showed no cytotoxicity at 100 µM. Three of the most potent inhibitors also inhibited the formation of biofilms. Furthermore, Pru-C12 inhibited alveolar bone resorption in a mouse experimental periodontitis model by infection. These findings may be helpful in the development of oral hygiene products for the prevention and control of periodontal disease and related disorders.
PubMed: 38928857
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121917 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024is the foodborne pathogen causing most gastrointestinal infections. Understanding its ability to form biofilms is crucial for devising effective control strategies in...
is the foodborne pathogen causing most gastrointestinal infections. Understanding its ability to form biofilms is crucial for devising effective control strategies in food processing environments. In this study, we investigated the growth dynamics and biofilm formation of NCTC 11168 in various culture media, including chicken juice (CJ), brain heart infusion (BHI), and Mueller Hinton (MH) broth. Our results demonstrated that exhibited a higher growth rate and enhanced biofilm formation in CJ and in 1:1 mixtures of CJ with BHI or MH broth compared to these measures in BHI or MH broth alone. Electron microscopy unveiled distinct morphological attributes of late-stage biofilm cells in CJ, including the presence of elongated spiral-shaped cells, thinner stretched structures compared to regular cells, and extended thread-like structures within the biofilms. Proteomic analysis identified significant alterations in protein expression profiles in biofilms, with a predominance of downregulated proteins associated with vital functions like metabolism, energy production, and amino acid and protein biosynthesis. Additionally, a significant proportion of proteins linked to biofilm formation, virulence, and iron uptake were suppressed. This shift toward a predominantly coccoid morphology echoed the reduced energy demands of these biofilm communities. Our study unlocks valuable insights into 's biofilm in CJ, demonstrating its adaptation and survival.
PubMed: 38928770
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121828 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024In the presented study, the effectiveness of a siloxane polyether (HOL7) coating on glass against microbiological colonization was assessed using microalgae as a key...
In the presented study, the effectiveness of a siloxane polyether (HOL7) coating on glass against microbiological colonization was assessed using microalgae as a key component of widespread aerial biofilms. The siloxane polyether was successfully synthesized by a hydrosilylation reaction in the presence of Karstedt's catalyst. The product structure was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and GPC analysis. In addition, the thermal stability of HOL7 was studied by thermogravimetric measurement. Subsequently, the surfaces of glass plates were modified with the obtained organosilicon derivative. In the next step, a microalgal experiment was conducted. A mixture of four strains of algal taxa isolated from building materials was used for the experiment-Chlorodium saccharophilum PNK010, Klebsormidium flaccidum PNK013, Pseudostichococcus monallantoides PNK037, and Trebouxia aggregata PNK080. The choice of these algae followed from their wide occurrence in terrestrial environments. Application of an organofunctional siloxane compound on the glass reduced, more or less effectively, the photosynthetic activity of algal cells, depending on the concentration of the compound. Since the structure of the compound was not based on biocide-active agents, its effectiveness was associated with a reduction in water content in the cells.
Topics: Siloxanes; Microalgae; Biofilms; Ethers; Glass; Photosynthesis
PubMed: 38928506
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126801