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Culture of Small Colony Variant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Quantitation of its Alginate
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Viscoelastic properties of Pseudomonas aeruginosa variant biofilms

Erin S Gloag1, Guy K German2, Paul Stoodley3,4,5

  • 1Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.

Scientific Reports
|June 28, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Pseudomonas aeruginosa variants in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections become more solid and elastic over time. This change in biofilm properties may hinder clearance mechanisms, potentially increasing infection persistence.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biophysics
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a key pathogen in chronic cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections.
  • Pathoadapted variants, like mucoid and rugose small-colony variants (RSCVs), overproduce extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) in biofilms.
  • The impact of EPS variations on biofilm biophysical properties and host clearance resistance is poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the viscoelastic properties of mucoid and RSCV biofilms compared to their parent strain.
  • To understand how changes in biofilm viscoelasticity influence resistance to lung clearance mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Mechanical indentation and shear rheometry were used to analyze biofilm viscoelasticity.
  • Colony-biofilms of parent, mucoid, and RSCV strains were studied at 2, 4, and 6 days.
  • Theoretical indices of mucociliary and cough clearance were applied.

Main Results:

  • Parental biofilms showed fluctuating viscoelastic changes over time.
  • Mucoid and RSCV biofilms progressively developed more elastic-solid behavior.
  • Mature parental and RSCV biofilms (6-d) may resist cough clearance.
  • Early mucoid biofilms (6-d) may resist both mucociliary and cough clearance.

Conclusions:

  • Biofilm viscoelasticity changes significantly in CF-associated P. aeruginosa variants.
  • Increased elasticity correlates with reduced clearance, suggesting a role in chronic infection persistence.
  • Viscoelasticity should be considered a virulence factor in biofilm infections.

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