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Published on: July 4, 2018
Coaggregation between and among human intestinal and oral bacteria
Ruth G Ledder1, Andrea S Timperley, Melissa K Friswell
1School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
FEMS Microbiology Ecology
|June 17, 2008
Summary
Oral and gut bacteria rarely coaggregate, suggesting distinct microbial communities. Interactions observed were primarily mediated by lectin-carbohydrate mechanisms, similar to oral bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Interactions
- Microbial Ecology
Background:
- Coaggregation is a key mechanism for integrating new species into polymicrobial communities.
- Understanding interactions between oral and enteric bacteria is crucial for comprehending host-associated microbial ecology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent and nature of coaggregation between and among human oral and enteric bacteria.
- To determine if coaggregation patterns differ between oral-oral, oral-enteric, and enteric-enteric bacterial pairs.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative spectrophotometric coaggregation assay was employed.
- 10 oral and 10 enteric bacterial species were tested in all pairwise combinations.
- Heating and sugar-addition experiments were used to elucidate interaction mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Strong coaggregation was frequent among oral strains (40% incidence).
- Strong coaggregation between oral and enteric strains was rare (4% incidence).
- Coaggregation among enteric strains was generally weak (7% incidence), with specific exceptions.
- Observed interactions were mediated by lectin-carbohydrate interactions.
Conclusions:
- Human oral and enteric bacterial communities appear to be largely distinct, with limited cross-interactions.
- Lectin-carbohydrate interactions play a significant role in mediating coaggregation between oral and enteric bacteria, similar to within oral communities.
- The findings provide insights into the ecological structuring of human commensal microbiota.
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