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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
A Delayed Inoculation Model of Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Wound Infection
Published on: February 20, 2020
Synergistic interactions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in an in vitro wound model
Stephanie DeLeon1, Allie Clinton2, Haley Fowler1
1Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
Abstract:
In individuals with polymicrobial infections, microbes often display synergistic interactions that can enhance their colonization, virulence, or persistence. One of the most prevalent types of polymicrobial infection occurs in chronic wounds, where Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the two most common causes. Although they are the most commonly associated microbial species in wound infections, very little is known about their interspecies relationship. Evidence suggests that P. aeruginosa-S. aureus coinfections are more virulent than monoculture infection with either species; however, difficulties in growing these two pathogens together in vitro have hampered attempts to uncover the mechanisms involved. Here we describe a simple and clinically relevant in vitro wound model that supported concomitant growth of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. We observed that the ability of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus to survive antibiotic treatment increased when they were grown together in planktonic cocultures and that antibiotic tolerance was further enhanced when they were grown together in the wound model. We attributed this enhanced tolerance to both the "host-derived" and "bacterium-derived" matrix components. Taken together, our data indicate that P. aeruginosa and S. aureus may benefit each other by coinfecting wounds and that the host-derived matrix may serve as important a role as the bacterium-derived matrix in protecting bacteria from some antibiotics.
Insights
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus coinfections in wounds enhance bacterial survival against antibiotics. This increased tolerance is linked to both host and bacterial matrix components, suggesting synergistic benefits during polymicrobial infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Wound Healing
Background:
- Polymicrobial infections, common in chronic wounds, involve synergistic microbial interactions.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are prevalent wound pathogens with poorly understood interspecies relationships.
- Coinfections are suspected to be more virulent, but in vitro challenges hinder mechanistic studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a clinically relevant in vitro wound model for studying Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus coinfections.
- To investigate the impact of coinfection on bacterial survival and antibiotic tolerance.
- To identify the roles of host-derived and bacterium-derived matrix components in enhanced antibiotic tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Development of a simple in vitro wound model supporting concomitant growth of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.
- Comparison of antibiotic survival in planktonic cocultures versus the in vitro wound model.
- Analysis of matrix components contributing to bacterial protection.
Main Results:
- P. aeruginosa and S. aureus exhibited increased survival against antibiotics when grown together in both planktonic and wound models.
- Enhanced antibiotic tolerance was observed in the in vitro wound model compared to planktonic cocultures.
- Both host-derived and bacterium-derived matrix components were identified as crucial for enhanced bacterial tolerance.
Conclusions:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus may benefit each other during wound coinfections.
- The host-derived matrix plays a significant role, comparable to the bacterium-derived matrix, in protecting bacteria from antibiotics.
- The developed wound model facilitates the study of polymicrobial interactions and antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
