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The role of Proteus mirabilis cell wall features in biofilm formation

Grzegorz Czerwonka1, Anna Guzy2, Klaudia Kałuża2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Jan Kochanowski University, Świętokrzyska 15, 25-406, Kielce, Poland. gczerwonka@ujk.edu.pl.

Archives of Microbiology
|June 6, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Proteus mirabilis biofilms cause urinary tract infections. Bacterial cell surface charge (zeta potential) significantly impacts early biofilm formation, with more negative charges promoting greater adherence, while hydrophobicity hinders it.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Medical Science
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Biofilms produced by Proteus mirabilis are a significant clinical challenge, particularly in urinary tract infections.
  • Bacterial adhesion during early biofilm development is critical for biofilm integrity and resistance to antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of cell surface properties, specifically hydrophobicity and electrokinetic potential, in the early adhesion stages of Proteus mirabilis biofilm formation.
  • To compare biofilm formation capabilities between clinical and laboratory strains of Proteus mirabilis.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated adherence and biofilm formation in clinical and laboratory Proteus mirabilis strains.
  • Measured cell surface hydrophobicity and zeta potential (electrokinetic potential).
  • Quantified biofilm mass using crystal violet absorption.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in early-stage adherence and biofilm formation were observed among strains.
  • Proteus mirabilis strains with more negative zeta potential values exhibited higher biofilm formation.
  • Conversely, high cell surface hydrophobicity correlated with reduced biofilm amounts.

Conclusions:

  • Cell surface electrokinetic potential is a key factor influencing Proteus mirabilis early biofilm development.
  • Surface charge characteristics, rather than hydrophobicity, appear to be more influential in initial bacterial adhesion for biofilm formation in this species.
Keywords:
BiofilmCell surface hydrophobicity (CSH)Electrokinetic potentialEpifluorescence microscopyMicrobial adherence to hydrocarbons (MATH)Proteus mirabilis

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