scholarly journals Immunization with Pneumococcal Surface Protein K of Nonencapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae Provides Protection in a Mouse Model of Colonization

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1146-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance E. Keller ◽  
Xiao Luo ◽  
Justin A. Thornton ◽  
Keun-Seok Seo ◽  
Bo Youn Moon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Pneumococcal Disease ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Antibody Isotype ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mouse Immunization ◽  
Escape Mutants

ABSTRACTCurrent vaccinations are effective against encapsulated strains ofStreptococcus pneumoniae, but they do not protect against nonencapsulatedStreptococcus pneumoniae(NESp), which is increasing in colonization and incidence of pneumococcal disease. Vaccination with pneumococcal proteins has been assessed for its ability to protect against pneumococcal disease, but several of these proteins are not expressed by NESp. Pneumococcal surface protein K (PspK), an NESp virulence factor, has not been assessed for immunogenic potential or host modulatory effects. Mammalian cytokine expression was determined in anin vivomouse model and in anin vitrocell culture system. Systemic and mucosal mouse immunization studies were performed to determine the immunogenic potential of PspK. Murine serum and saliva were collected to quantitate specific antibody isotype responses and the ability of antibody and various proteins to inhibit epithelial cell adhesion. Host cytokine response was not reduced by PspK. NESp was able to colonize the mouse nasopharynx as effectively as encapsulated pneumococci. Systemic and mucosal immunization provided protection from colonization by PspK-positive (PspK+) NESp. Anti-PspK antibodies were recovered from immunized mice and significantly reduced the ability of NESp to adhere to human epithelial cells. A protein-based pneumococcal vaccine is needed to provide broad protection against encapsulated and nonencapsulated pneumococci in an era of increasing antibiotic resistance and vaccine escape mutants. We demonstrate that PspK may serve as an NESp target for next-generation pneumococcal vaccines. Immunization with PspK protected against pneumococcal colonization, which is requisite for pneumococcal disease.

scholarly journals Pertussis Toxin Improves Immune Responses to a Combined Pneumococcal Antigen and Leads to Enhanced Protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 972-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Salcedo-Rivillas ◽  
Anne-Sophie Debrie ◽  
Eliane Namie Miyaji ◽  
Jorge M. C. Ferreira ◽  
Isaías Raw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Pertussis Toxin ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Passive Immunization ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Adjuvant Activity ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTPneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) is a candidate antigen for the composition of protein-based vaccines againstStreptococcus pneumoniae. While searching for efficient adjuvants for PspA-based vaccines, our group has described the potential of combining PspA with the whole-cell pertussis vaccine (wP). When given to mice through the nasal route, a formulation composed of PspA from clade 5 (PspA5) and wP (PspA5-wP) induced high levels of antibodies and protection against challenges with different pneumococcal strains. PspA5-wP also induced the secretion of interleukin 17 (IL-17) by splenocytes and the infiltration of leukocytes in the lungs after challenge. Here, we show that protection against a pneumococcal invasive challenge was completely abrogated in μMT−/−mice, which are deficient in the maturation of B cells, illustrating the importance of antibodies in the survival elicited by the PspA5-wP vaccine. Moreover, passive immunization showed that IgG purified from the sera of mice immunized with PspA5-wP conferred significant protection to naive mice, whereas the respective F(ab′)2did not. Additionally,in vivodepletion of complement abolished protection against the pneumococcal challenge. The combination of PspA5 with wild-type or mutantBordetella pertussisstrains or with purified components showed that the pertussis toxin (PT)-containing formulations induced the highest levels of antibodies and protection. This suggests that the adjuvant activity of wP in the PspA5 model is mediated at least in part by PT. The sera from mice immunized with such formulations displayed high IgG binding and induction of complement deposition on the pneumococcal surfacein vitro, which is consistent with thein vivoresults.

scholarly journals A Novel Piperazine-Based Drug Lead for Cryptosporidiosis from the Medicines for Malaria Venture Open-Access Malaria Box

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. e01505-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Jumani ◽  
K. Bessoff ◽  
M. S. Love ◽  
P. Miller ◽  
E. E. Stebbins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Drug Development ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Cryptosporidium Hominis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knockout Mouse Model ◽  
Malaria Box

ABSTRACTCryptosporidiosis causes life-threatening diarrhea in children under the age of 5 years and prolonged diarrhea in immunodeficient people, especially AIDS patients. The standard of care, nitazoxanide, is modestly effective in children and ineffective in immunocompromised individuals. In addition to the need for new drugs, better knowledge of drug properties that drivein vivoefficacy is needed to facilitate drug development. We report the identification of a piperazine-based lead compound forCryptosporidiumdrug development, MMV665917, and a new pharmacodynamic method used for its characterization. The identification of MMV665917 from the Medicines for Malaria Venture Malaria Box was followed by dose-response studies,in vitrotoxicity studies, and structure-activity relationship studies using commercial analogues. The potency of this compound againstCryptosporidium parvumIowa and field isolates was comparable to that againstCryptosporidium hominis. Furthermore, unlike nitazoxanide, clofazimine, and paromomycin, MMV665917 appeared to be curative in a NOD SCID gamma mouse model of chronic cryptosporidiosis. MMV665917 was also efficacious in a gamma interferon knockout mouse model of acute cryptosporidiosis. To determine if efficacy in this mouse model of chronic infection might relate to whether compounds are parasiticidal or parasitistatic forC. parvum, we developed a novelin vitroparasite persistence assay. This assay suggested that MMV665917 was parasiticidal, unlike nitazoxanide, clofazimine, and paromomycin. The assay also enabled determination of the concentration of the compound required to maximize the rate of parasite elimination. This time-kill assay can be used to prioritize early-stageCryptosporidiumdrug leads and may aid in planningin vivoefficacy experiments. Collectively, these results identify MMV665917 as a promising lead and establish a new method for characterizing potential anticryptosporidial agents.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequence of Pediatric Otitis Media Isolate Streptococcus pneumoniae Strain EF3030, Which Forms In Vitro Biofilms That Closely Mimic In Vivo Biofilms

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar J. Scott ◽  
Nicole R. Luke-Marshall ◽  
Anthony A. Campagnari ◽  
David W. Dyer
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Draft Genome Sequence ◽  
Draft Assembly ◽  
Content Type

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Streptococcus pneumoniae EF3030, a pediatric otitis media isolate active in biofilm assays of epithelial colonization. The final draft assembly included 2,209,198 bp; the annotation predicted 2,120 coding DNA sequences (CDSs), 4 complete rRNA operons, 58 tRNAs, 3 noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), and 199 pseudogenes.

scholarly journals Thiol Peroxidase Is an Important Component of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Oxygenated Environments

2012 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 4333-4343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barak Hajaj ◽  
Hasan Yesilkaya ◽  
Rachel Benisty ◽  
Maayan David ◽  
Peter W. Andrew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Thiol Peroxidase ◽  
Fine Tune

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniaeis an aerotolerant Gram-positive bacterium that causes an array of diseases, including pneumonia, otitis media, and meningitis. During aerobic growth,S. pneumoniaeproduces high levels of H2O2. SinceS. pneumoniaelacks catalase, the question of how it controls H2O2levels is of critical importance. Thepsalocus encodes an ABC Mn2+-permease complex (psaBCA) and a putative thiol peroxidase,tpxD. This study shows thattpxDencodes a functional thiol peroxidase involved in the adjustment of H2O2homeostasis in the cell. Kinetic experiments showed that recombinant TpxD removed H2O2efficiently. However,in vivoexperiments revealed that TpxD detoxifies only a fraction of the H2O2generated by the pneumococcus. Mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated that TpxD Cys58undergoes selective oxidationin vivo, under conditions where H2O2is formed, confirming the thiol peroxidase activity. Levels of TpxD expression and synthesisin vitrowere significantly increased in cells grown under aerobic versus anaerobic conditions. The challenge with D39 and TIGR4 with H2O2resulted intpxDupregulation, whilepsaBCAexpression was oppositely affected. However, the challenge of ΔtpxDmutants with H2O2did not affectpsaBCA, implying that TpxD is involved in the regulation of thepsaoperon, in addition to its scavenging activity. Virulence studies demonstrated a notable difference in the survival time of mice infected intranasally with D39 compared to that of mice infected intranasally with D39ΔtpxD. However, when bacteria were administered directly into the blood, this difference disappeared. The findings of this study suggest that TpxD constitutes a component of the organism's fundamental strategy to fine-tune cellular processes in response to H2O2.

scholarly journals Dynamic Changes in the Streptococcus pneumoniae Transcriptome during Transition from Biofilm Formation to Invasive Disease upon Influenza A Virus Infection

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 4607-4619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda M. Pettigrew ◽  
Laura R. Marks ◽  
Yong Kong ◽  
Janneane F. Gent ◽  
Hazeline Roche-Hakansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Lactate Production ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Upregulated Genes

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniaeis a leading cause of infectious disease globally. Nasopharyngeal colonization occurs in biofilms and precedes infection. Prior studies have indicated that biofilm-derived pneumococci are avirulent. However, influenza A virus (IAV) infection releases virulent pneumococci from biofilmsin vitroandin vivo. Triggers of dispersal include IAV-induced changes in the nasopharynx, such as increased temperature (fever) and extracellular ATP (tissue damage). We used whole-transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-seq) to compare theS. pneumoniaetranscriptome in biofilms, bacteria dispersed from biofilms after exposure to IAV, febrile-range temperature, or ATP, and planktonic cells grown at 37°C. Compared with biofilm bacteria, actively dispersedS. pneumoniae, which were more virulent in invasive disease, upregulated genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Enzymatic assays for ATP and lactate production confirmed that dispersed pneumococci exhibited increased metabolism compared to those in biofilms. Dispersed pneumococci also upregulated genes associated with production of bacteriocins and downregulated colonization-associated genes related to competence, fratricide, and the transparent colony phenotype. IAV had the largest impact on the pneumococcal transcriptome. Similar transcriptional differences were also observed when actively dispersed bacteria were compared with avirulent planktonic bacteria. Our data demonstrate complex changes in the pneumococcal transcriptome in response to IAV-induced changes in the environment. Our data suggest that disease is caused by pneumococci that are primed to move to tissue sites with altered nutrient availability and to protect themselves from the nasopharyngeal microflora and host immune response. These data help explain pneumococcal virulence after IAV infection and have important implications for studies ofS. pneumoniaepathogenesis.

scholarly journals WrpA Is an Atypical Flavodoxin Family Protein under Regulatory Control of the Brucella abortus General Stress Response System

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (8) ◽  
pp. 1281-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Herrou ◽  
Daniel M. Czyż ◽  
Jonathan W. Willett ◽  
Hye-Sook Kim ◽  
Gekleng Chhor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Brucella Abortus ◽  
Chronic Infection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Stress Response ◽  
General Stress

ABSTRACTThe general stress response (GSR) system of the intracellular pathogenBrucella abortuscontrols the transcription of approximately 100 genes in response to a range of stress cues. The core genetic regulatory components of the GSR are required forB. abortussurvival under nonoptimal growth conditionsin vitroand for maintenance of chronic infection in anin vivomouse model. The functions of the majority of the genes in the GSR transcriptional regulon remain undefined.bab1_1070is among the most highly regulated genes in this regulon: its transcription is activated 20- to 30-fold by the GSR system under oxidative conditionsin vitro. We have solved crystal structures of Bab1_1070 and demonstrate that it forms a homotetrameric complex that resembles those of WrbA-type NADH:quinone oxidoreductases, which are members of the flavodoxin protein family. However,B. abortusWrbA-relatedprotein (WrpA) does not bind flavin cofactors with a high affinity and does not function as an NADH:quinone oxidoreductasein vitro. Soaking crystals with flavin mononucleotide (FMN) revealed a likely low-affinity binding site adjacent to the canonical WrbA flavin binding site. Deletion ofwrpA(ΔwrpA) does not compromise cell survival under acute oxidative stressin vitroor attenuate infection in cell-based or mouse models. However, a ΔwrpAstrain does elicit increased splenomegaly in a mouse model, suggesting that WrpA modulatesB. abortusinteraction with its mammalian host. Despite high structural homology with canonical WrbA proteins, we propose thatB. abortusWrpA represents a functionally distinct member of the diverse flavodoxin family.IMPORTANCEBrucella abortusis an etiological agent of brucellosis, which is among the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide. The general stress response (GSR) regulatory system ofB. abortuscontrols the transcription of approximately 100 genes and is required for maintenance of chronic infection in a murine model; the majority of GSR-regulated genes remain uncharacterized. We presentin vitroandin vivofunctional and structural analyses of WrpA, whose expression is strongly induced by GSR under oxidative conditions. Though WrpA is structurally related to NADH:quinone oxidoreductases, it does not bind redox cofactors in solution, nor does it exhibit oxidoreductase activityin vitro. However, WrpA does affect spleen inflammation in a murine infection model. Our data provide evidence that WrpA forms a new functional class of WrbA/flavodoxin family proteins.

scholarly journals Dolosigranulum pigrum Cooperation and Competition in Human Nasal Microbiota

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvio D. Brugger ◽  
Sara M. Eslami ◽  
Melinda M. Pettigrew ◽  
Isabel F. Escapa ◽  
Matthew T. Henke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Microbe Interactions ◽  
Clinical Experiments ◽  
Nasal Microbiota

ABSTRACT Multiple epidemiological studies identify Dolosigranulum pigrum as a candidate beneficial bacterium based on its positive association with health, including negative associations with nasal/nasopharyngeal colonization by the pathogenic species Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Using a multipronged approach to gain new insights into D. pigrum function, we observed phenotypic interactions and predictions of genomic capacity that support the idea of a role for microbe-microbe interactions involving D. pigrum in shaping the composition of human nasal microbiota. We identified in vivo community-level and in vitro phenotypic cooperation by specific nasal Corynebacterium species. Also, D. pigrum inhibited S. aureus growth in vitro, whereas robust inhibition of S. pneumoniae required both D. pigrum and a nasal Corynebacterium together. D. pigrum l-lactic acid production was insufficient to account for these inhibitions. Genomic analysis of 11 strains revealed that D. pigrum has a small genome (average 1.86 Mb) and multiple predicted auxotrophies consistent with D. pigrum relying on its human host and on cocolonizing bacteria for key nutrients. Further, the accessory genome of D. pigrum harbored a diverse repertoire of biosynthetic gene clusters, some of which may have a role in microbe-microbe interactions. These new insights into D. pigrum’s functions advance the field from compositional analysis to genomic and phenotypic experimentation on a potentially beneficial bacterial resident of the human upper respiratory tract and lay the foundation for future animal and clinical experiments. IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans. For both, nasal colonization is a risk factor for infection. Studies of nasal microbiota identify Dolosigranulum pigrum as a benign bacterium present when adults are free of S. aureus or when children are free of S. pneumoniae. Here, we validated these in vivo associations with functional assays. We found that D. pigrum inhibited S. aureus in vitro and, together with a specific nasal Corynebacterium species, also inhibited S. pneumoniae. Furthermore, genomic analysis of D. pigrum indicated that it must obtain key nutrients from other nasal bacteria or from humans. These phenotypic interactions support the idea of a role for microbe-microbe interactions in shaping the composition of human nasal microbiota and implicate D. pigrum as a mutualist of humans. These findings support the feasibility of future development of microbe-targeted interventions to reshape nasal microbiota composition to exclude S. aureus and/or S. pneumoniae.

scholarly journals Evaluation of 4-Amino 2-Anilinoquinazolines against Plasmodium and Other Apicomplexan Parasites In Vitro and in a P. falciparum Humanized NOD-scid IL2Rγnull Mouse Model of Malaria

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Gilson ◽  
William Nguyen ◽  
William A. Poole ◽  
Jose E. Teixeira ◽  
Jennifer K. Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Babesia Bovis ◽  
Parasite Line ◽  
Humanized Mouse ◽  
Humanized Mouse Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Micromolar Range

ABSTRACT A series of 4-amino 2-anilinoquinazolines optimized for activity against the most lethal malaria parasite of humans, Plasmodium falciparum, was evaluated for activity against other human Plasmodium parasites and related apicomplexans that infect humans and animals. Four of the most promising compounds from the 4-amino 2-anilinoquinazoline series were equally as effective against the asexual blood stages of the zoonotic P. knowlesi, suggesting that they could also be effective against the closely related P. vivax, another important human pathogen. The 2-anilinoquinazoline compounds were also potent against an array of P. falciparum parasites resistant to clinically available antimalarial compounds, although slightly less so than against the drug-sensitive 3D7 parasite line. The apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii, Babesia bovis, and Cryptosporidium parvum were less sensitive to the 2-anilinoquinazoline series with a 50% effective concentration generally in the low micromolar range, suggesting that the yet to be discovered target of these compounds is absent or highly divergent in non-Plasmodium parasites. The 2-anilinoquinazoline compounds act as rapidly as chloroquine in vitro and when tested in rodents displayed a half-life that contributed to the compound’s capacity to clear P. falciparum blood stages in a humanized mouse model. At a dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight, adverse effects to the humanized mice were noted, and evaluation against a panel of experimental high-risk off targets indicated some potential off-target activity. Further optimization of the 2-anilinoquinazoline antimalarial class will concentrate on improving in vivo efficacy and addressing adverse risk.

scholarly journals In VitroCharacterization of PlySK1249, a Novel Phage Lysin, and Assessment of Its Antibacterial Activity in a Mouse Model of Streptococcus agalactiae Bacteremia

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 6276-6283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Oechslin ◽  
Jean Daraspe ◽  
Marlyse Giddey ◽  
Philippe Moreillon ◽  
Grégory Resch
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Streptococcus Agalactiae ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cell Wall Binding ◽  
Gene Coding ◽  
Invasive Infections ◽  
Cell Wall Binding Domain ◽  
Bacterial Peptidoglycan

ABSTRACTBeta-hemolyticStreptococcus agalactiaeis the leading cause of bacteremia and invasive infections. These diseases are treated with β-lactams or macrolides, but the emergence of less susceptible and even fully resistant strains is a cause for concern. New bacteriophage lysins could be promising alternatives against such organisms. They hydrolyze the bacterial peptidoglycan at the end of the phage cycle, in order to release the phage progeny. By using a bioinformatic approach to screen several beta-hemolytic streptococci, a gene coding for a lysin was identified on a prophage carried byStreptococcus dysgalactiaesubsp.equisimilisSK1249. The gene product, named PlySK1249, harbored an original three-domain structure with a central cell wall-binding domain surrounded by an N-terminal amidase and a C-terminal CHAP domain. Purified PlySK1249 was highly lytic and bactericidal forS. dysgalactiae(2-log10CFU/ml decrease within 15 min). Moreover, it also efficiently killedS. agalactiae(1.5-log10CFU/ml decrease within 15 min) but not several streptococcal commensal species. We further investigated the activity of PlySK1249 in a mouse model ofS. agalactiaebacteremia. Eighty percent of the animals (n= 10) challenged intraperitoneally with 106CFU ofS. agalactiaedied within 72 h, whereas repeated injections of PlySK1249 (45 mg/kg 3 times within 24 h) significantly protected the mice (P< 0.01). Thus, PlySK1249, which was isolated fromS. dysgalactiae, demonstrated high cross-lytic activity againstS. agalactiaebothin vitroandin vivo. These encouraging results indicated that PlySK1249 might represent a good candidate to be developed as a new enzybiotic for the treatment of systemicS. agalactiaeinfections.

scholarly journals Streptococcus pneumoniae Biofilm Formation Is Strain Dependent, Multifactorial, and Associated with Reduced Invasiveness and Immunoreactivity during Colonization

mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystle Blanchette-Cain ◽  
Cecilia A. Hinojosa ◽  
Ramya Akula Suresh Babu ◽  
Anel Lizcano ◽  
Norberto Gonzalez-Juarbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Lavage Fluid ◽  
Cytokine Response ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Nasal Lavage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nasal Lavage Fluid

ABSTRACT Biofilms are thought to play an important role during colonization of the nasopharynx by Streptococcus pneumoniae, yet how they form in vivo and the determinants responsible remain unknown. Using scanning electron microscopy, we show that biofilm aggregates of increasing complexity form on murine nasal septa following intranasal inoculation. These biofilms were highly distinct from in vitro biofilms, as they were discontiguous and appeared to incorporate nonbacterial components such as intact host cells. Biofilms initially formed on the surface of ciliated epithelial cells and, as cells were sloughed off, were found on the basement membrane. The size and number of biofilm aggregates within nasal lavage fluid were digitally quantitated and revealed strain-specific capabilities that loosely correlated with the ability to form robust in vitro biofilms. We tested the ability of isogenic mutants deficient in CbpA, pneumolysin, hydrogen peroxide, LytA, LuxS, CiaR/H, and PsrP to form biofilms within the nasopharynx. This analysis revealed that CiaR/H was absolutely required for colonization, that PsrP and SpxB strongly impacted aggregate formation, and that other determinants affected aggregate morphology in a modest fashion. We determined that mice colonized with ΔpsrP mutants had greater levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and KC in nasal lavage fluid than did mice colonized with wild-type controls. This phenotype correlated with a diminished capacity of biofilm pneumococci to invade host cells in vitro despite enhanced attachment. Our results show that biofilms form during colonization and suggest that they may contribute to persistence through a hyperadhesive, noninvasive state that elicits a dampened cytokine response. IMPORTANCE This work demonstrates the first temporal characterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilm formation in vivo. Our results show that the morphology of biofilms formed by both invasive and noninvasive clinical isolates in vivo is distinct from that of formed biofilms in vitro, yet propensity to form biofilms in vivo loosely correlates with the degree of in vitro biofilm formation on a microtiter plate. We show that host components, including intact host cells, influence the formation of in vivo structures. We also found that efficient biofilm formation in vivo requires multiple bacterial determinants. While some factors are essential for in vivo biofilm formation (CiaRH, PsrP, and SpxB), other factors are less critical (CbpA, LytA, LuxS, and pneumolysin). In comparison to their planktonic counterparts, biofilm pneumococci are hyperadhesive but less invasive and elicit a weaker proinflammatory cytokine response. These findings give insight into the requirements for and potential role of biofilms during prolonged asymptomatic colonization.

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