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Time-Lapse Epifluorescence Microscopy Imaging of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus Heterogeneous Phenotypes
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Time-Lapse Epifluorescence Microscopy Imaging of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus Heterogeneous Phenotypes

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Pyocyanin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa creates legacy effects that promote antibiotic resistance evolution in

M G J de Vos1, V Jansen2, O El Bouhlali3

  • 1Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|June 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Past interactions between bacteria can leave lasting effects. Exposure to Pseudomonas aeruginosa enhances enterococci

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Interactions
  • Antibiotic Resistance

Background:

  • Polymicrobial infections involve multiple bacterial species with complex interactions.
  • These interactions can influence antibiotic efficacy and the development of resistance.
  • The specific mechanisms and consequences of these interactions remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the legacy effects of enterococci-Pseudomonas aeruginosa interactions.
  • To determine how these interactions impact antibiotic tolerance and resistance evolution in enterococci.

Main Methods:

  • Studied the effects of pyocyanin, a P. aeruginosa metabolite, on enterococci.
  • Assessed changes in antibiotic efflux and tolerance in enterococci after exposure.
  • Examined the promotion of antibiotic resistance evolution in enterococci.

Main Results:

  • Temporary exposure to P. aeruginosa's pyocyanin increases antibiotic efflux in enterococci.
  • These legacy effects enhance enterococci's tolerance to rifampicin and nalidixic acid.
  • Enhanced tolerance promotes the evolution of antibiotic resistance in enterococci.

Conclusions:

  • Transient microbial interactions can significantly alter the evolutionary trajectory of bacterial species.
  • Understanding these legacy effects is crucial for managing polymicrobial infections and antibiotic resistance.
Keywords:
antibiotic resistanceeffluxevolvabilityinfectious diseasesmicrobial ecologysecondary metabolites

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