scholarly journals Vibrio cholerae motility in aquatic and mucus-mimicking environments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Grognot ◽  
Anisha Mittal ◽  
Mattia Amyra Mah'moud ◽  
Katja M Taute

Cholera disease is caused by Vibrio cholerae infecting the lining of the small intestine and results in severe diarrhea. V. cholerae's swimming motility is known to play a crucial role in pathogenicity and may aid the bacteria in crossing the intestinal mucus barrier to reach sites of infection, but the exact mechanisms are unknown. The cell can be either pushed or pulled by its single polar flagellum, but there is no consensus on the resulting repertoire of motility behaviors. We use high-throughput 3D bacterial tracking to observe V. cholerae swimming in buffer, in viscous solutions of the synthetic polymer PVP, and in mucin solutions that may mimic the host environment. We perform a statistical characterization of its motility behavior on the basis of large 3D trajectory datasets. We find that V. cholerae performs asymmetric run-reverse-flick motility, consisting of a sequence of a forward run, reversal, and a shorter backward run, followed by a turn by approximately 90°, called a flick, preceding the next forward run. Unlike many run-reverse-flick swimmers, V. cholerae's backward runs are much shorter than its forward runs, resulting in an increased effective diffusivity. We also find that the swimming speed is not constant, but subject to frequent decreases. The turning frequency in mucin matches that observed in buffer. Run-reverse-flick motility and speed fluctuations are present in all environments studied, suggesting that these behaviors may also occur in natural aquatic habitats as well as the host environment.

Author(s):  
Marianne Grognot ◽  
Anisha Mittal ◽  
Mattia Mah’moud ◽  
Katja M. Taute

Cholera disease is caused by Vibrio cholerae infecting the lining of the small intestine and results in severe diarrhea. V. cholerae ’s swimming motility is known to play a crucial role in pathogenicity and may aid the bacteria in crossing the intestinal mucus barrier to reach sites of infection, but the exact mechanisms are unknown. The cell can be either pushed or pulled by its single polar flagellum, but there is no consensus on the resulting repertoire of motility behaviors. We use high-throughput 3D bacterial tracking to observe V. cholerae swimming in buffer, in viscous solutions of the synthetic polymer PVP, and in mucin solutions that may mimic the host environment. We perform a statistical characterization of its motility behavior on the basis of large 3D trajectory datasets. We find that V. cholerae performs asymmetric run-reverse-flick motility, consisting of a sequence of a forward run, reversal, and a shorter backward run, followed by a turn by approximately 90°, called a flick, preceding the next forward run. Unlike many run-reverse-flick swimmers, V. cholerae ’s backward runs are much shorter than its forward runs, resulting in an increased effective diffusivity. We also find that the swimming speed is not constant, but subject to frequent decreases. The turning frequency in mucin matches that observed in buffer. Run-reverse-flick motility and speed fluctuations are present in all environments studied, suggesting that these behaviors may also occur in natural aquatic habitats as well as the host environment. IMPORTANCE Cholera disease produces vomiting and severe diarrhea and causes approximately 100,000 deaths per year worldwide. The disease is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae colonizing the lining of the small intestine. V. cholerae ’s ability to swim is known to increase its infectivity, but the underlying mechanisms are not known. One possibility is that swimming may aid in crossing the protective mucus barrier that covers the lining of the small intestine. Our work characterizing how V. cholerae swims in environments that mimic properties of the host environment may advance the understanding of how motility contributes to infection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S42-S42
Author(s):  
Kohei Sugihara ◽  
Nobuhiko Kamada

Abstract Background Recent accumulating evidence suggests that amino acids have crucial roles in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), amino acid metabolism is changed in both host and the gut microbiota. Among amino acids, L-serine plays a central role in several metabolic processes that are essential for the growth and survival of both mammalian and bacterial cells. However, the role of L-serine in intestinal homeostasis and IBD remains incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary L-serine on intestinal inflammation in a murine model of colitis. Methods Specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice were fed either a control diet (amino acid-based diet) or an L-serine-deficient diet (SDD). Colitis was induced by the treatment of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The gut microbiome was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. We also evaluate the effect of dietary L-serine in germ-free mice and gnotobiotic mice that were colonized by a consortium of non-mucolytic bacterial strains or the consortium plus mucolytic bacterial strains. Results We found that the SDD exacerbated experimental colitis in SPF mice. However, the severity of colitis in SDD-fed mice was comparable to control diet-fed mice in germ-free condition, suggesting that the gut microbiota is required for exacerbation of colitis caused by the restriction of dietary L-serine. The gut microbiome analysis revealed that dietary L-serine restriction fosters the blooms of a mucus-degrading bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila and adherent-invasive Escherichia coli in the inflamed gut. Consistent with the expansion of mucolytic bacteria, SDD-fed mice showed a loss of the intestinal mucus layer. Dysfunction of the mucus barrier resulted in increased intestinal permeability, thereby leading to bacterial translocation to the intestinal mucosa, which subsequently increased the severity of colitis. The increased intestinal permeability and subsequent bacterial translocation were observed in SDD-fed gnotobiotic mice that colonized by mucolytic bacteria. In contrast, dietary L-serine restriction did not alter intestinal barrier integrity in gnotobiotic mice that colonized only by non-mucolytic bacteria. Conclusion Our results suggest that dietary L-serine regulates the integrity of the intestinal mucus barrier during inflammation by limiting the expansion of mucus degrading bacteria.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 759
Author(s):  
Andrea Mariscotti

Accurate and comprehensive methods for the assessment of radiated electromagnetic emissions in modern electric transportation systems are a necessity. The characteristics and susceptibility of modern victim signaling and communication radio services, operating within and outside the right-of-way, require an update of the measurement methods integrating or replacing the swept frequency technique with time domain approaches. Applicable standards are the EN 50121 (equivalent to the IEC 62236) and Urban Mass Transport Association (UMTA) with additional specifications from project contracts. This work discusses the standardized methods and settings, and the representative operating conditions, highlighting areas where improvements are possible and opportune (statistical characterization of measurement results, identification and distinction of emissions and line resonances, and narrowband and broadband phenomena). In particular for the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) assessment with new Digital Communication Systems, the characterization of time distribution of spectral properties is discussed, e.g., by means of Amplitude Probability Distribution and including time distribution information. The problem of determination of site and setup uncertainty and repeatability is also discussed, observing on one hand the lack of clear indications in standards and, on the other hand, the non-ideality and intrinsic variability of measurement conditions (e.g., rolling stock operating conditions, synchronization issues, and electric arc intermittence).


GPS Solutions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo Chen ◽  
Renyu Zhou ◽  
Zhigang Hu ◽  
Yifei Lv ◽  
Na Wei ◽  
...  

Gene ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 153 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecil W. Harkey ◽  
Keith D. Everiss ◽  
Kenneth M. Peterson

2012 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 651-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
DIANA E. WATURANGI ◽  
NATANIA PRADITA ◽  
JESSICA LINARTA ◽  
SWAPAN BANERJEE

Vibrio cholerae is well recognized as the causative agent of cholera, an acute intestinal infection characterized by watery diarrhea that may lead to dehydration and death in some cases. V. cholerae is a natural inhabitant of the aquatic environment in the tropical regions. Jakarta has the highest percentage of individuals affected by sporadic diarrheal illness compared with other areas in Indonesia. Inadequate safety measures for drinking water supplies, improper sanitation, and poor hygiene can increase the risk of cholera outbreaks. Few studies have been conducted on the prevalence of these bacteria in ice and beverages that are popularly sold and consumed in Jakarta. In this study, we detected and quantified V. cholerae from ice and beverages collected from several areas in five regions of Jakarta. Levels of V. cholerae in both ice and beverages were determined with the three-tube most-probable-number (MPN) method and ranged from <0.3 to >110 MPN/ml. The presence of regulatory and virulence gene sequences was determined by using uniplex and multiplex PCR assays. Of 110 samples tested, 33 (30%) were positive for V. cholerae; 21 (64%) were ice samples and the remaining 12 (36%) were beverages. A total of 88 V. cholerae strains were isolated, based on the presence of the toxR gene sequence identified by PCR. Other genetic markers, such as hlyA (59%), ompU (16%), and ctxA (19%), also were found during the search for potential pathogenic strains. The detection and isolation of potentially harmful V. cholerae from ice and beverages in Jakarta indicate that these products pose a health risk from choleragenic vibrios, particularly because of the emergence of classical biotypes of V. cholerae O1 and potentially harmful non-O1 serovars of this species.


2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Levitz ◽  
Ardalan Ardeshiri ◽  
Jabeer Ahmed ◽  
Daniel S. Gareau ◽  
Steven L. Jacques

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document