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The microbial synergy of Peptostreptococcus micros and Prevotella intermedia in a murine abscess model
H Araki1, T Kuriyama, K Nakagawa
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.
Abstract:
This study characterized the microbial interaction of Peptostreptococcus micros and Prevotella intermedia, the major pathogens of dentoalveolar infection, using a murine model. Subcutaneous injection of P. micros cells in the dorsum of the mouse together with living cells of P. intermedia resulted in a significantly larger abscess when compared with single injection of the organisms (P < 0.02). The abscess size was also significantly increased (P < 0.05) when the plate-cultured cell suspension of P. micros was injected into mouse with the culture filtrate of P. intermedia. The heat-treated culture filtrate of P. intermedia also enhanced the virulence of P. micros. P. micros culture filtrate did not affect the virulence of P. intermedia. Interestingly, the virulence of P. micros appeared to be enhanced even when the culture filtrate of P. intermedia was injected at separate sites in the mouse. These results suggest that a heat-stable product or products of P. intermedia increase the virulence of P. micros indirectly by altering the host condition, whereas living cells of P. micros can directly enhance virulence of P. intermedia.
Insights
This study shows that Prevotella intermedia enhances Peptostreptococcus micros virulence indirectly, while P. micros directly boosts P. intermedia virulence in dentoalveolar infections. These microbial interactions are key to understanding infection progression.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oral Health
Background:
- Dentoalveolar infections are often polymicrobial, involving key pathogens like Peptostreptococcus micros and Prevotella intermedia.
- Understanding the synergistic interactions between these bacteria is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microbial interactions between Peptostreptococcus micros and Prevotella intermedia in a murine model.
- To determine how these bacteria influence each other's virulence in the context of dentoalveolar infections.
Main Methods:
- A murine model was used to study the effects of co-injecting P. micros and P. intermedia.
- Abscess formation was measured following subcutaneous injections of live bacteria, culture filtrates, and heat-treated culture filtrates.
Main Results:
- Co-injection of P. micros and P. intermedia led to significantly larger abscesses compared to single injections.
- Culture filtrate of P. intermedia, even heat-treated or applied separately, enhanced P. micros virulence.
- P. micros culture filtrate did not affect P. intermedia virulence, but live P. micros cells enhanced P. intermedia virulence.
Conclusions:
- A heat-stable product from P. intermedia likely increases P. micros virulence by altering host conditions.
- Live P. micros cells can directly enhance the virulence of P. intermedia.
- These findings highlight the complex synergistic interactions driving dentoalveolar infections.
