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Investigation on extracellular slime substance produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis
Zentralblatt Fur Bakteriologie, Mikrobiologie, Und Hygiene. Series A, Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Virology, Parasitology
|December 1, 1984
Summary
Staphylococcus epidermidis slime, a glycoconjugate, aids bacterial attachment to polymers. Its production is inhibited by tunicamycin but not penicillin, and can be detected using lectins and poly-L-lysine.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Extracellular slime produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis is crucial for biofilm formation and medical device colonization.
- Understanding the composition and function of this slime is vital for developing strategies to prevent staphylococcal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the extracellular slime substance of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
- To investigate the role of slime in bacterial adherence to synthetic materials.
- To identify methods for assessing and inhibiting slime production.
Main Methods:
- Slime production was assessed using bacterial agglutination with concanavalin A (Con A) and poly-L-lysine, and by measuring bacterial adherence to polyethylene.
- A phenol-saline extract of slime was fractionated using DEAE-sepharose chromatography.
- Protein, sugar content, and monosaccharide constituents of fractions were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Fractions rich in mannose (I and II) reacted with Con A and other mannose-specific lectins.
- Fractions containing glucuronic acid (III and IV) precipitated with poly-L-lysine.
- Slime coating inhibited staphylococcal cell attachment to polyethylene.
- Tunicamycin, a glycosylation inhibitor, blocked slime production, while penicillin had no effect.
Conclusions:
- Staphylococcus epidermidis extracellular slime is a complex glycoconjugate involved in attachment to synthetic polymers.
- Mannose-specific lectins and poly-L-lysine can be used to detect slime production.
- Targeting glycosylation pathways offers a potential strategy for inhibiting slime formation and preventing staphylococcal colonization.