scholarly journals Evolution of Bacterial “Frenemies”

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie E. Darch ◽  
Carolyn B. Ibberson ◽  
Marvin Whiteley
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Community Assembly ◽  
Microbial Interactions ◽  
Microbial Interaction ◽  
Microbial Dynamics ◽  
Lung Infections ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Polymicrobial Infections

ABSTRACT Chronic polymicrobial infections are associated with increased virulence compared to monospecies infections. However, our understanding of microbial dynamics during polymicrobial infection is limited. A recent study by Limoli and colleagues (D. H. Limoli, G. B. Whitfield, T. Kitao, M. L. Ivey, M. R. Davis, Jr., et al., mBio 8:e00186-17, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00186-17 !) provides insight into a mechanism that may contribute to the coexistence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung. CF lung infections have frequently been used to investigate microbial interactions due to both the complex polymicrobial community and chronic nature of these infections. The hypothesis of Limoli et al. is that the conversion of P. aeruginosa to its mucoidy phenotype during chronic CF infection promotes coexistence by diminishing its ability to kill S. aureus. Highlighting a new facet of microbial interaction between two species that are traditionally thought of as competitors, this study provides a platform for studying community assembly in a relevant infection setting.

scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa Alters Staphylococcus aureus Sensitivity to Vancomycin in a Biofilm Model of Cystic Fibrosis Infection

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Orazi ◽  
George A. O’Toole
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Interspecies Interactions ◽  
Protein Synthesis Inhibitors ◽  
Lung Infections ◽  
Polymicrobial Infections

ABSTRACT The airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have thick mucus, which fosters chronic, polymicrobial infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two of the most prevalent respiratory pathogens in CF patients. In this study, we tested whether P. aeruginosa influences the susceptibility of S. aureus to frontline antibiotics used to treat CF lung infections. Using our in vitro coculture model, we observed that addition of P. aeruginosa supernatants to S. aureus biofilms grown either on epithelial cells or on plastic significantly decreased the susceptibility of S. aureus to vancomycin. Mutant analyses showed that 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO), a component of the P. aeruginosa Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) system, protects S. aureus from the antimicrobial activity of vancomycin. Similarly, the siderophores pyoverdine and pyochelin also contribute to the ability of P. aeruginosa to protect S. aureus from vancomycin, as did growth under anoxia. Under our experimental conditions, HQNO, P. aeruginosa supernatant, and growth under anoxia decreased S. aureus growth, likely explaining why this cell wall-targeting antibiotic is less effective. P. aeruginosa supernatant did not confer additional protection to slow-growing S. aureus small colony variants. Importantly, P. aeruginosa supernatant protects S. aureus from other inhibitors of cell wall synthesis as well as protein synthesis-targeting antibiotics in an HQNO- and siderophore-dependent manner. We propose a model whereby P. aeruginosa causes S. aureus to shift to fermentative growth when these organisms are grown in coculture, leading to reduction in S. aureus growth and decreased susceptibility to antibiotics targeting cell wall and protein synthesis. IMPORTANCE Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections are chronic and difficult to eradicate. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two of the most prevalent respiratory pathogens in CF patients and are associated with poor patient outcomes. Both organisms adopt a biofilm mode of growth, which contributes to high tolerance to antibiotic treatment and the recalcitrant nature of these infections. Here, we show that P. aeruginosa exoproducts decrease the sensitivity of S. aureus biofilm and planktonic populations to vancomycin, a frontline antibiotic used to treat methicillin-resistant S. aureus in CF patients. P. aeruginosa also protects S. aureus from other cell wall-active antibiotics as well as various classes of protein synthesis inhibitors. Thus, interspecies interactions can have dramatic and unexpected consequences on antibiotic sensitivity. This study underscores the potential impact of interspecies interactions on antibiotic efficacy in the context of complex, polymicrobial infections. IMPORTANCE Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections are chronic and difficult to eradicate. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two of the most prevalent respiratory pathogens in CF patients and are associated with poor patient outcomes. Both organisms adopt a biofilm mode of growth, which contributes to high tolerance to antibiotic treatment and the recalcitrant nature of these infections. Here, we show that P. aeruginosa exoproducts decrease the sensitivity of S. aureus biofilm and planktonic populations to vancomycin, a frontline antibiotic used to treat methicillin-resistant S. aureus in CF patients. P. aeruginosa also protects S. aureus from other cell wall-active antibiotics as well as various classes of protein synthesis inhibitors. Thus, interspecies interactions can have dramatic and unexpected consequences on antibiotic sensitivity. This study underscores the potential impact of interspecies interactions on antibiotic efficacy in the context of complex, polymicrobial infections.

scholarly journals Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus from cystic fibrosis lung infections and their interactions with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eryn E. Bernardy ◽  
Robert A. Petit ◽  
Vishnu Raghuram ◽  
Ashley M. Alexander ◽  
Timothy D. Read ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Laboratory Strain ◽  
Toxin Production ◽  
Reference Isolate ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Lung Infections

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common bacteria that infect the respiratory tract of individuals with the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF); in fact, S. aureus has recently overtaken P. aeruginosa to become the most common. Substantial research has been performed on the epidemiology of S. aureus in CF; however, there appears to be a gap in knowledge in regard to the pathogenesis of S. aureus in the context of CF lung infections. Most studies have focused on a few S. aureus isolates, often exclusively laboratory adapted strains, and how they are killed by P. aeruginosa. Because of this, little is known about the diversity of S. aureus CF lung isolates in both virulence and interaction with P. aeruginosa. To begin to address this gap in knowledge, we recently sequenced 65 clinical S. aureus isolates from the Emory CF Biospecimen Registry and Boston Children’s Hospital, including the reference isolate JE2, a USA300 strain. Here, we analyzed antibiotic resistance genotypes, sequence type, clonal complex, spa type, and agr type of these isolates. We hypothesized that major virulence phenotypes of S. aureus that may be associated with CF lung infections, namely toxin production and mucoid phenotype, would be retained in these isolates. To test our hypothesis, we plated on specific agars and found that most isolates can hemolyze both rabbit and sheep blood (67.7%) and produce polysaccharide (69.2%), consistent with virulence retention in CF lung isolates. We also identified three distinct phenotypic groups of S. aureus based on their survival in the presence of nonmucoid P. aeruginosa laboratory strain PAO1 and its mucoid derivative. Altogether, our work provides greater insight into the diversity of S. aureus CF isolates, specifically the distribution of important virulence factors and their interaction with P. aeruginosa, all of which have implications in patient health.Author SummaryStaphylococcus aureus is now the most frequently detected pathogen in the lungs of individuals who have cystic fibrosis (CF), followed closely by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. When these two pathogens are found to coinfect the CF lung, patients have a significantly worse prognosis. While P. aeruginosa has been rigorously studied in the context of bacterial pathogenesis in CF, less is known about S. aureus. Here we present an in-depth study of 64 S. aureus CF clinical isolates where we investigated genetic diversity utilizing whole genome sequencing, virulence phenotypes, and interactions with P. aeruginosa. We have found that S. aureus isolated from the CF lung are phylogenetically diverse, most retain known virulence factors, and they vary in interactions with P. aeruginosa from highly sensitive to completely tolerant. Deepening our understanding of how S. aureus responds to its environment and other microbes in the CF lung will enable future development of effective treatments and preventative measures against these formidable infections.

scholarly journals Genotypic and Phenotypic Diversity of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Cystic Fibrosis Patient Lung Infections and Their Interactions with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eryn E. Bernardy ◽  
Robert A. Petit ◽  
Vishnu Raghuram ◽  
Ashley M. Alexander ◽  
Timothy D. Read ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Laboratory Strain ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lung Infections

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus has recently overtaken Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the most commonly recognized bacterial pathogen that infects the respiratory tracts of individuals with the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF) in the United States. Most studies of S. aureus in CF patient lung infections have focused on a few isolates, often exclusively laboratory-adapted strains, and how they are killed by P. aeruginosa. Less is known about the diversity of S. aureus CF patient lung isolates in terms of both their virulence and their interaction with P. aeruginosa. To begin to address this gap, we recently sequenced 64 clinical S. aureus isolates and a reference isolate, JE2. Here, we analyzed the antibiotic resistance genotypes, sequence types, clonal complexes, spa types, agr types, and presence/absence of other known virulence factor genes of these isolates. We hypothesized that virulence phenotypes of S. aureus, namely, toxin production and the mucoid phenotype, would be lost in these isolates due to adaptation in the CF patient lung. In contrast to these expectations, we found that most isolates can lyse both rabbit and sheep blood (67.7%) and produce polysaccharide (69.2%), suggesting that these phenotypes were not lost during adaptation to the CF lung. We also identified three distinct phenotypic groups of S. aureus based on their survival in the presence of nonmucoid P. aeruginosa laboratory strain PAO1 and its mucoid derivative. Altogether, our work provides greater insight into the diversity of S. aureus isolates from CF patients, specifically the distribution of important virulence factors and their interaction with P. aeruginosa, all of which have implications in patient health. IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus aureus is now the most frequently detected recognized pathogen in the lungs of individuals who have cystic fibrosis (CF) in the United States, followed closely by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. When these pathogens are found to coinfect the CF lung, patients have a significantly worse prognosis. While P. aeruginosa has been rigorously studied in the context of bacterial pathogenesis in CF, less is known about S. aureus. Here, we present an in-depth study of 64 S. aureus clinical isolates from CF patients, for which we investigated genetic diversity utilizing whole-genome sequencing, virulence phenotypes, and interactions with P. aeruginosa. We found that S. aureus isolated from CF lungs are phylogenetically diverse; most retain known virulence factors and vary in their interactions with P. aeruginosa (i.e., they range from being highly sensitive to P. aeruginosa to completely tolerant to it). Deepening our understanding of how S. aureus responds to its environment and other microbes in the CF lung will enable future development of effective treatments and preventative measures against these formidable infections.

scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 Enhances the Efficacy of Norfloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus Newman Biofilms

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Orazi ◽  
Fabrice Jean-Pierre ◽  
George A. O’Toole
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Multiple Infection ◽  
Bacterial Biofilms ◽  
Interspecies Interactions ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The thick mucus within the airways of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) promotes frequent respiratory infections that are often polymicrobial. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two of the most prevalent pathogens that cause CF pulmonary infections, and both are among the most common etiologic agents of chronic wound infections. Furthermore, the ability of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus to form biofilms promotes the establishment of chronic infections that are often difficult to eradicate using antimicrobial agents. In this study, we found that multiple LasR-regulated exoproducts of P. aeruginosa, including 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO), siderophores, phenazines, and rhamnolipids, likely contribute to the ability of P. aeruginosa PA14 to shift S. aureus Newman norfloxacin susceptibility profiles. Here, we observe that exposure to P. aeruginosa exoproducts leads to an increase in intracellular norfloxacin accumulation by S. aureus. We previously showed that P. aeruginosa supernatant dissipates the S. aureus membrane potential, and furthermore, depletion of the S. aureus proton motive force recapitulates the effect of the P. aeruginosa PA14 supernatant on shifting norfloxacin sensitivity profiles of biofilm-grown S. aureus Newman. From these results, we hypothesize that exposure to P. aeruginosa PA14 exoproducts leads to increased uptake of the drug and/or an impaired ability of S. aureus Newman to efflux norfloxacin. Surprisingly, the effect observed here of P. aeruginosa PA14 exoproducts on S. aureus Newman susceptibility to norfloxacin seemed to be specific to these strains and this antibiotic. Our results illustrate that microbially derived products can alter the ability of antimicrobial agents to kill bacterial biofilms. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are frequently coisolated from multiple infection sites, including the lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers. Coinfection with P. aeruginosa and S. aureus has been shown to produce worse outcomes compared to infection with either organism alone. Furthermore, the ability of these pathogens to form biofilms enables them to cause persistent infection and withstand antimicrobial therapy. In this study, we found that P. aeruginosa-secreted products dramatically increase the ability of the antibiotic norfloxacin to kill S. aureus biofilms. Understanding how interspecies interactions alter the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial biofilms may inform treatment decisions and inspire the development of new therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals The Impact of an Efflux Pump Inhibitor on the Activity of Free and Liposomal Antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 577
Author(s):  
Douweh Leyla Gbian ◽  
Abdelwahab Omri
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Dilution Method ◽  
Efflux Pump Inhibitor ◽  
Signal Production ◽  
Lung Infections ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Microbroth Dilution

The eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients has become continuously difficult due to its increased resistance to treatments. This study assessed the efficacy of free and liposomal gentamicin and erythromycin, combined with Phenylalanine arginine beta-naphthylamide (PABN), a broad-spectrum efflux pump inhibitor, against P. aeruginosa isolates. Liposomes were prepared and characterized for their sizes and encapsulation efficiencies. The antimicrobial activities of formulations were determined by the microbroth dilution method. Their activity on P. aeruginosa biofilms was assessed, and the effect of sub-inhibitory concentrations on bacterial virulence factors, quorum sensing (QS) signals and bacterial motility was also evaluated. The average diameters of liposomes were 562.67 ± 33.74 nm for gentamicin and 3086.35 ± 553.95 nm for erythromycin, with encapsulation efficiencies of 13.89 ± 1.54% and 51.58 ± 2.84%, respectively. Liposomes and PABN combinations potentiated antibiotics by reducing minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations by 4–32 fold overall. The formulations significantly inhibited biofilm formation and differentially attenuated virulence factor production as well as motility. Unexpectedly, QS signal production was not affected by treatments. Taken together, the results indicate that PABN shows potential as an adjuvant of liposomal macrolides and aminoglycosides in the management of lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients.

scholarly journals Nutritional Effects on Host Response to Lung Infections with Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Mice

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 1479-1486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. van Heeckeren ◽  
Mark Schluchter ◽  
Lintong Xue ◽  
Juan Alvarez ◽  
Steven Freedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Docosahexaenoic Acid ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Host Response ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Liquid Diet ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Agarose Beads ◽  
Lung Infections

ABSTRACT In cystic fibrosis, a recessive genetic disease caused by defects in the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR), the main cause of death is lung infection and inflammation. Nutritional deficits have been proposed to contribute to the excessive host inflammatory response in both humans and Cftr-knockout mice. Cftr-knockout mice and gut-corrected Cftr-knockout mice expressing human CFTR primarily in the gut were challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa-laden agarose beads; they responded similarly with respect to bronchoalveolar lavage cell counts and levels of the acute-phase cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6. Wild-type mice fed the liquid diet used to prevent intestinal obstruction in Cftr-knockout mice had inflammatory responses to P. aeruginosa-laden agarose beads similar to those of wild-type mice fed an enriched solid diet, so dietary effects are unlikely to account for differences between wild-type mice and mice with cystic fibrosis. Finally, since cystic fibrosis patients and Cftr-knockout mice have an imbalance in fatty acids (significantly lower-than-normal levels of docosahexaenoic acid), the effects of specific supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid of wild-type and Cftr-knockout mice on their inflammatory responses to P. aeruginosa-laden agarose beads were tested. There were no significant differences (P = 0.35) in cumulative survival rates between Cftr-knockout mice and wild-type mice provided with either the liquid diet Peptamen or Peptamen containing docosahexaenoic acid. In conclusion, diet and docosahexaenoic acid imbalances alone are unlikely to explain the differences in the host response to lung infections with mucoid P. aeruginosa between mice with cystic fibrosis and their wild-type counterparts.

scholarly journals Most of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa co-infecting isolates coexist, a condition that may impact clinical outcomes in Cystic Fibrosis patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Briaud ◽  
Sylvère Bastien ◽  
Laura Camus ◽  
Marie Boyadjian ◽  
Philippe Reix ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
History Of

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus (SA) is the major colonizer of the lung of cystic fibrosis (CF) patient during childhood and adolescence. As patient aged, the prevalence of SA decreases and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) becomes the major pathogen infecting adult lungs. Nonetheless, SA remains significant and patients harbouring both SA and PA are frequently found in worldwide cohort. Impact of coinfection remains controversial. Furthermore, co-infecting isolates may compete or coexist. The aim of this study was to analyse if co-infection and coexistence of SA and PA could lead to worse clinical outcomes. The clinical and bacteriological data of 212 Lyon CF patients were collected retrospectively, and patients were ranked into three groups, SA only (n=112), PA only (n=48) or SA plus PA (n=52). In addition, SA and PA isolates from co-infecting patients were tested in vitro to define their interaction profile. Sixty five percent (n=34) of SA/PA pairs coexist. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, we confirm that SA patients have a clinical condition less severe than others, and PA induce a poor outcome independently of the presence of SA. FEV1 is lower in patients infected by competition strain pairs than in those infected by coexisting strain pairs compared to SA mono-infection. Coexistence between SA and PA may be an important step in the natural history of lung bacterial colonization within CF patients.

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