Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Adherence of Bacteria to Plant Surfaces Measured in the Laboratory
07:07

Adherence of Bacteria to Plant Surfaces Measured in the Laboratory

Published on: June 19, 2018

[Study of antibiotic influence on adherence capacity of gram positive and gram negative bacteria to the cellular

Carmen Balotescu1, Anca-Michaela Israil, Veronica Lazăr

  • 1I.N.C.D.M.I. Cantacuzino, Bucureşti.

Bacteriologia, Virusologia, Parazitologia, Epidemiologia (Bucharest, Romania : 1990)
|April 17, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations can alter bacterial adherence. Penicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and vancomycin stimulated Listeria monocytogenes adherence while inhibiting Vibrio cholerae and Aeromonas hydrophyla. Other antibiotics showed cytotoxic effects.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Context:

  • Bacterial adherence to host cells is crucial for infection development.
  • Biofilm formation on medical devices confers antibiotic resistance, complicating treatment.
  • Limited research exists on how antibiotics affect bacterial adhesin synthesis and cellular adherence.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the impact of subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations on the adherence of Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio cholerae, and Aeromonas hydrophyla to HEp-2 cells.
  • To quantify changes in bacterial adherence and invasion following antibiotic pretreatment.

Summary:

  • Bacteria were incubated with subinhibitory concentrations of various antibiotics (penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, norfloxacin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin).
  • Penicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and vancomycin significantly enhanced Listeria monocytogenes adherence but reduced adherence of Vibrio cholerae and Aeromonas hydrophyla.
  • Ampicillin and chloramphenicol had no significant effect; kanamycin, ceftazidime, and norfloxacin induced cytotoxicity, preventing interpretation.

Impact:

  • Reveals differential effects of specific antibiotics on bacterial adherence, potentially influencing infection dynamics.
  • Highlights the need to consider sub-lethal antibiotic effects on bacterial virulence factors.
  • Suggests that some antibiotics may inadvertently promote adherence of certain pathogens or cause cytotoxic effects complicating in vitro studies.

More Related Videos

In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells05:57

In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells

Published on: May 16, 2011

Automated, High-Throughput Detection of Bacterial Adherence to Host Cells07:21

Automated, High-Throughput Detection of Bacterial Adherence to Host Cells

Published on: September 17, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Antibiotic Selection00:57

Antibiotic Selection

Overview
Antimicrobial Effectiveness01:28

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Bacterial Cell Wall01:22

Bacterial Cell Wall

The bacterial cell wall is an essential structural component that encases the plasma membrane, preserving cellular integrity, determining shape, and protecting against osmotic stress. This rigid yet flexible structure primarily comprises peptidoglycan, a polymer that forms a mesh-like matrix conferring mechanical strength and flexibility.Peptidoglycan Composition and StructurePeptidoglycan, the core of the bacterial cell wall, comprises alternating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and...