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Physicochemical Characterization of Gallstone Surfaces to Predict Their Interaction with Salmonella Typhi
Fadoua Louglali1, Abdeslam Jaafari1, Souad Lekchiri1
1Industrial and Surface Engineering Laboratory, Bioprocess and Biointerfaces Team, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, BP 523, 23000, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
Current Microbiology
|January 3, 2025
Summary
Salmonella Typhi adhesion to gallstones, linked to gallbladder cancer, was studied. Surface properties predict bacterial colonization, offering insights to inhibit S. Typhi attachment.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Salmonella Typhi adhesion to gallstones can lead to abnormal gallbladder mucosa and potentially carcinogenesis.
- Surface physicochemical properties of microbes and materials significantly influence bacterial adhesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the surface properties of gallstones for the first time.
- To evaluate how these properties influence the theoretical adhesion of S. Typhi to gallstone surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) for surface composition.
- Contact Angle Measurements (CAM) for surface properties.
- Extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) approach for predictive adhesion.
Main Results:
- Gallstones are primarily composed of cholesterol, carbon, and oxygen; aluminum was a trace element in some.
- S. Typhi exhibits hydrophilic character with strong electron donor and weak electron acceptor properties.
- Gallstones are hydrophobic, with variable electron donor/acceptor characteristics. Predictive adhesion indicated S. Typhi colonization on most gallstones, except GS1, GS5, and GS6.
Conclusions:
- Understanding interfacial phenomena in bacterial adhesion is key to inhibiting S. Typhi on gallstones.
- Surface properties play a critical role in S. Typhi's ability to colonize gallstones.
