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Adhesiveness and invasiveness of staphylococcal species in a cell culture model
H Schmidt1, G Bukholm, M Holberg-Petersen
1Institute of Microbiology, Wilhelm-Pieck University of Rostock, GDR.
Abstract:
A model was established for the study of adhesiveness and invasiveness of staphylococcal species. Five collection strains from each of the species Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. saprophyticus and 26 fresh isolates from patients with urinary tract infections were tested for adhesiveness and invasiveness in HEp-2 cell cultures. All the strains of S. saprophyticus were able to invade the cells and localize intracellularly in the cultures, whereas the invasive potential among the strains of S. aureus and S. epidermidis was lower. The number of adhesive bacteria was also highest among the S. saprophyticus strains, whereas S. epidermidis was the least adhesive. The model may be suitable for further study of urinary tract infection strains.
Insights
Staphylococcus saprophyticus demonstrated significant invasiveness and adhesiveness in a novel cell culture model, outperforming Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. This model shows promise for studying urinary tract infection pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Staphylococcal species are significant human pathogens.
- Understanding bacterial adhesiveness and invasiveness is crucial for studying pathogenesis, particularly in urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- HEp-2 cell cultures offer a model system to investigate host-pathogen interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and validate a cell culture model for assessing the adhesiveness and invasiveness of staphylococcal species.
- To compare the adhesive and invasive capabilities of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
- To evaluate the potential of this model for studying strains involved in urinary tract infections.
Main Methods:
- A HEp-2 cell culture model was utilized.
- Five reference strains from each of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. saprophyticus were tested.
- Twenty-six clinical isolates from patients with UTIs were also included in the analysis.
Main Results:
- All tested strains of Staphylococcus saprophyticus exhibited intracellular localization and invasiveness within HEp-2 cells.
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus strains displayed the highest bacterial adhesion.
- Staphylococcus epidermidis strains showed the lowest levels of adhesion, and lower invasive potential compared to S. saprophyticus.
Conclusions:
- The established HEp-2 cell culture model effectively differentiates the adhesive and invasive properties of staphylococcal species.
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus possesses significant intrinsic adhesive and invasive capabilities relevant to UTIs.
- This model system is suitable for further research into the pathogenicity of urinary tract infection-associated staphylococcal strains.