Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Replication of the Ordered, Nonredundant Library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 Transposon Insertion Mutants
11:35

Replication of the Ordered, Nonredundant Library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 Transposon Insertion Mutants

Published on: May 4, 2018

The intestinal environment of surgical injury transforms Pseudomonas aeruginosa into a discrete hypervirulent

Trissa Babrowski1, Kathleen Romanowski, David Fink

  • 1Center for Surgical Infection Research and Therapeutics, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Surgery
|August 7, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Surgical injury transforms intestinal Pseudomonas aeruginosa into a hypervirulent pathogen, increasing peritonitis mortality. This bacterial virulence, influenced by surgical stress, is a key factor in patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Surgical Infections
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Secondary peritonitis has high mortality despite current treatments.
  • Bacterial virulence, not just host factors, may determine peritonitis outcomes.
  • Bacterial virulence is inducible by local cues present after surgical stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of bacterial virulence in peritonitis outcomes.
  • To determine if surgical injury alters bacterial virulence.
  • To identify specific bacterial morphotypes associated with lethal peritonitis.

Main Methods:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa was inoculated into mouse ceca.
  • Mice underwent surgical injury (hepatectomy) or sham surgery.
  • Bacterial strains were harvested and injected into naive mice to assess mortality.

Main Results:

  • P. aeruginosa from injured mice caused 100% mortality in naive mice.
  • A wrinkled morphotype of P. aeruginosa was lethal, while smooth morphotypes were not.
  • Wrinkled strains induced a more proinflammatory response compared to smooth strains.

Conclusions:

  • Surgical injury induces hypervirulence in intestinal P. aeruginosa.
  • Altered bacterial virulence in response to surgery impacts peritonitis outcomes.
  • Bacterial morphotype changes may predict peritonitis severity.

More Related Videos

Generation of In-Frame Gene Deletion Mutants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Testing for Virulence Attenuation in a Simple Mouse Model of Infection08:34

Generation of In-Frame Gene Deletion Mutants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Testing for Virulence Attenuation in a Simple Mouse Model of Infection

Published on: January 8, 2020

A Delayed Inoculation Model of Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Wound Infection06:56

A Delayed Inoculation Model of Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Wound Infection

Published on: February 20, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology01:07

Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology

Intestinal obstruction triggers a series of physiological responses, starting with gas and fluid accumulation in the bowel segment proximal to the obstruction, leading to distension. This distended intestine compresses the diaphragm, hindering lung expansion and potentially leading to reduced respiratory effort, atelectasis, and pneumonia.To overcome the blockage, the gut intensifies contractions, causing colicky abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, which reduces fluid and food intake and...
Appendicitis01:19

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the vermiform appendix, most commonly caused by obstruction of its lumen. The appendix is a narrow, blind-ended pouch that extends from the cecum, making it particularly prone to obstruction. Causes include fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia (often after viral infections), parasites, tumors, or foreign bodies. This obstruction initiates a cascade of pathological changes.Luminal Obstruction and Early InflammationAfter obstruction, normal mucosal...
Gastritis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Gastritis II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of gastritis begins with the colonization of the stomach lining by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium spreads mainly via the oral-oral route through saliva or shared utensils, and can also be transmitted in overcrowded or unhygienic environments through contaminated water, despite its brief survival outside the body.ColonizationOnce ingested, H. pylori enters the stomach and begins colonization by navigating through the mucus layer lining the stomach wall. It...
Colonisation of Pathogens01:25

Colonisation of Pathogens

Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing01:28

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...