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Coaggregation and biofilm formation of Leptospira with Staphylococcus aureus

Kirubakaran Vinod Kumar1,2, Chandan Lall1, Ratchagadasse Vimal Raj1

  • 1Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR), WHO Collaborating Centre for Diagnosis, Reference, Research and Training in Leptospirosis, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

Microbiology and Immunology
|May 1, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus and Leptospira bacteria can co-aggregate and form biofilms. This interaction, observed in vitro, may influence Leptospira infections entering through skin wounds.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacterial Interactions

Background:

  • Leptospira are pathogenic bacteria that can cause disease in humans and animals.
  • The interaction between Leptospira and other microbes, like Staphylococcus aureus, in host environments is not well understood.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing effective treatments for leptospirosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro interaction between Leptospira and Staphylococcus aureus.
  • To determine if these bacteria can co-aggregate and form biofilms together.
  • To explore the potential implications of these interactions in the context of wound infections.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro co-aggregation assays were performed between Leptospira strains and Staphylococcus aureus MTCC-737.
  • Biofilm formation assays were conducted to assess the ability of Leptospira and S. aureus to form mixed biofilms.
  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize the structure of the formed biofilms.

Main Results:

  • Staphylococcus aureus MTCC-737 demonstrated strong co-aggregation with tested Leptospira strains (visual score +4).
  • All tested Leptospira strains successfully formed biofilms in the presence of S. aureus.
  • SEM revealed intertwined networks of L. interrogans and S. aureus cells, indicating a matrix-like structure.

Conclusions:

  • Leptospira and Staphylococcus aureus exhibit significant in vitro co-aggregation and biofilm formation capabilities.
  • The formation of mixed biofilms suggests a potential mechanism for enhanced bacterial persistence and infection.
  • These findings highlight a possible microbial interaction relevant to Leptospira infections entering through skin wounds.
Keywords:
BiofilmLeptospiraStaphylococcus aureuscoaggregationinteraction

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