Pseudomonas aeruginosa facilitates Campylobacter jejuni growth in biofilms under oxic flow conditions

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Environmental Science
• Bacterial Interactions

Background:

• Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis.
• Biofilm formation is a critical factor in bacterial survival and persistence.
• Understanding interspecies interactions in biofilms is essential for controlling pathogenic bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the growth dynamics of Campylobacter jejuni in biofilms with Pseudomonas aeruginosa under oxic flow conditions.
• To determine if P. aeruginosa can support C. jejuni growth and survival in a biofilm matrix.
• To elucidate the role of dissolved oxygen in the C. jejuni-P. aeruginosa biofilm interaction.

Main Methods:

• Culturing C. jejuni in mono-culture, on pre-established P. aeruginosa biofilms, and in co-culture.
• Monitoring C. jejuni growth and distribution on P. aeruginosa biofilms over time.
• Measuring dissolved oxygen levels in the effluent of biofilm cultures.

Main Results:

• C. jejuni could not form biofilms independently but grew on P. aeruginosa biofilms for up to 3 days.
• C. jejuni growth was limited to the P. aeruginosa biofilm surface, forming scattered clusters.
• P. aeruginosa biofilms significantly depleted dissolved oxygen, creating a microaerophilic environment that promoted C. jejuni growth.

Conclusions:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa facilitates the survival and growth of Campylobacter jejuni under oxic conditions by establishing a localized microaerophilic environment.
• P. aeruginosa biofilms act as a supportive matrix for C. jejuni, enabling its persistence in environments where it would otherwise not survive.
• This interspecies interaction highlights a novel mechanism for C. jejuni survival and colonization.