Surface charge influences enterococcal prevalence in mixed-species biofilms

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Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification
10:05

Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification

Published on: May 6, 2018

A E J van Merode1, D C Pothoven, H C van der Mei

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. a.e.j.van.merode@med.umcg.nl

Journal of Applied Microbiology
|April 24, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The prevalence of charge-heterogeneous Enterococcus faecalis in biofilms decreases with other microbes. However, charge-homogeneous strains form more biofilm when interacting with species that create charge heterogeneity.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biofilm formation
  • Surface charge interactions

Background:

  • Enterococcus faecalis is a common pathogen in biliary stent biofilms.
  • Biofilm formation is influenced by microbial interactions and surface properties.
  • Strain-specific surface charge heterogeneity impacts Enterococcus faecalis behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how 15 different microbial isolates affect charge-heterogeneous and charge-homogeneous Enterococcus faecalis strains in mixed biofilms.
  • To understand the role of surface charge in Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation within a complex microbial community.

Main Methods:

  • Six Enterococcus faecalis strains were co-cultured with 15 other microbial isolates in microtitre plates.
  • Mixed-species biofilms were analyzed for the prevalence of different Enterococcus faecalis subpopulations.
  • Zeta potential was used to assess surface charge heterogeneity.

Main Results:

  • Charge-heterogeneous Enterococcus faecalis strains generally decreased in prevalence within mixed-species biofilms.
  • Charge-homogeneous Enterococcus faecalis strains showed increased prevalence only with specific isolates (Citrobacter freundii, Stenotrophomonas malthophilia, Candida lusitaniae).
  • These specific isolates introduced significant charge heterogeneity into the mixed microbial population.

Conclusions:

  • Charge-homogeneous Enterococcus faecalis requires interaction with species possessing a less negative zeta potential to stimulate biofilm formation.
  • The formation of a charge-heterogeneous microbial population is key for stimulating charge-homogeneous Enterococcus faecalis biofilm development.
  • This study highlights the importance of interspecies surface charge dynamics in Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation in biliary contexts.

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