scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mobbing-Like Behavior against Acanthamoeba castellanii Bacterivore and Its Rapid Control by Quorum Sensing and Environmental Cues

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimrod Shteindel ◽  
Yoram Gerchman
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Bacterial Population ◽  
Acanthamoeba Castellanii ◽  
Group Behavior ◽  
Environmental Cues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rapid Control ◽  
Molecular Components

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was shown previously to attack amoebae and other predators by adhering to them and injecting them with virulent substances. In this work, we show that an active, coordinated group behavior is enacted by the bacteria to utilize these molecular components, responding to both predator and bacterial population density.

scholarly journals Bacterial mobbing behavior: coordinated communal attack of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on a protozoan predator

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Shteindel ◽  
Y. Gerchman
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Acanthamoeba Castellanii ◽  
Group Behavior ◽  
Predator Population ◽  
Signal Molecule ◽  
Predation Avoidance ◽  
Group Coordination

Mobbing, a group attack of prey on predator, is a strategy enacted by many animal species. Here we report bacterial mobbing carried out by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa towards Acanthamoeba castellanii, a common bacterivore. This behavior consists of bacterial taxis towards the amoebae, adhesion en masse to amoebae cells, and eventual killing of the amoebae. Mobbing behavior transpires in second’s timescale and responds to predator population density. A mutant defective in the production of a specific quorum sensing signal displays reduced adhesion to amoeba cells. This deficiency ameliorated by external addition of the missing signal molecule. The same quorum sensing mutant also expresses long term deficiency in its ability to cause amoeba death and shows higher susceptibility to predation, highlighting the importance of group coordination to mobbing and predation avoidance. These findings portray bacterial mobbing as a regulated and dynamic group behavior.

scholarly journals Interference with Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing and Virulence by the Mycobacterial Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal Dioxygenase AqdC in Combination with the N-Acylhomoserine Lactone Lactonase QsdA

2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska S. Birmes ◽  
Ruth Säring ◽  
Miriam C. Hauke ◽  
Niklas H. Ritzmann ◽  
Steffen L. Drees ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Rhodococcus Erythropolis ◽  
Quorum Quenching ◽  
Signal Molecules ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acylhomoserine Lactone ◽  
Regulatory Effects ◽  
Epithelial Lung Cells

ABSTRACT The nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulates its virulence via a complex quorum sensing network, which, besides N-acylhomoserine lactones, includes the alkylquinolone signal molecules 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone (Pseudomonas quinolone signal [PQS]) and 2-heptyl-4(1H)-quinolone (HHQ). Mycobacteroides abscessus subsp. abscessus, an emerging pathogen, is capable of degrading the PQS and also HHQ. Here, we show that although M. abscessus subsp. abscessus reduced PQS levels in coculture with P. aeruginosa PAO1, this did not suffice for quenching the production of the virulence factors pyocyanin, pyoverdine, and rhamnolipids. However, the levels of these virulence factors were reduced in cocultures of P. aeruginosa PAO1 with recombinant M. abscessus subsp. massiliense overexpressing the PQS dioxygenase gene aqdC of M. abscessus subsp. abscessus, corroborating the potential of AqdC as a quorum quenching enzyme. When added extracellularly to P. aeruginosa cultures, AqdC quenched alkylquinolone and pyocyanin production but induced an increase in elastase levels. When supplementing P. aeruginosa cultures with QsdA, an enzyme from Rhodococcus erythropolis which inactivates N-acylhomoserine lactone signals, rhamnolipid and elastase levels were quenched, but HHQ and pyocyanin synthesis was promoted. Thus, single quorum quenching enzymes, targeting individual circuits within a complex quorum sensing network, may also elicit undesirable regulatory effects. Supernatants of P. aeruginosa cultures grown in the presence of AqdC, QsdA, or both enzymes were less cytotoxic to human epithelial lung cells than supernatants of untreated cultures. Furthermore, the combination of both aqdC and qsdA in P. aeruginosa resulted in a decline of Caenorhabditis elegans mortality under P. aeruginosa exposure.

scholarly journals Novel Quorum-Sensing Peptides Mediating Interspecies Bacterial Cell Death

mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sathish Kumar ◽  
Ilana Kolodkin-Gal ◽  
Hanna Engelberg-Kulka
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Bacterial Cell ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
New Class ◽  
Bacterial Cell Death ◽  
Induced Module

ABSTRACTEscherichia colimazEFis a toxin-antitoxin stress-induced module mediating cell death. It requires the quorum-sensing signal (QS) “extracellular death factor” (EDF), the penta-peptide NNWNN (EcEDF), enhancing the endoribonucleolytic activity ofE. colitoxin MazF. Here we discovered thatE. coli mazEF-mediated cell death could be triggered by QS peptides from the supernatants (SN) of the Gram-positive bacteriumBacillus subtilisand the Gram-negative bacteriumPseudomonas aeruginosa. In the SN ofB. subtilis, we found one EDF, the hexapeptide RGQQNE, calledBsEDF. In the SN ofP. aeruginosa, we found three EDFs: the nonapeptide INEQTVVTK, calledPaEDF-1, and two hexadecapeptides, VEVSDDGSGGNTSLSQ, calledPaEDF-2, and APKLSDGAAAGYVTKA, calledPaEDF-3. When added to a dilutedE. colicultures, each of these peptides acted as an interspecies EDF that triggeredmazEF-mediated death. Furthermore, though their sequences are very different, each of these EDFs amplified the endoribonucleolytic activity ofE. coliMazF, probably by interacting with different sites onE. coliMazF. Finally, we suggest that EDFs may become the basis for a new class of antibiotics that trigger death from outside the bacterial cells.IMPORTANCEBacteria communicate with one another via quorum-sensing signal (QS) molecules. QS provides a mechanism for bacteria to monitor each other’s presence and to modulate gene expression in response to population density. Previously, we addedE. coliEDF (EcEDF), the peptide NNWNN, to this list of QS molecules. Here we extended the group of QS peptides to several additional different peptides. The new EDFs are produced by two other bacteria,Bacillus subtilisandPseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, in this study we established a “new family of EDFs.” This family provides the first example of quorum-sensing molecules participating in interspecies bacterial cell death. Furthermore, each of these peptides provides the basis of a new class of antibiotics triggering death by acting from outside the cell.

scholarly journals Identification of FDA-Approved Drugs as Antivirulence Agents Targeting the pqs Quorum-Sensing System of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca D'Angelo ◽  
Valerio Baldelli ◽  
Nigel Halliday ◽  
Paolo Pantalone ◽  
Fabio Polticelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Active Inhibitor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Approved Drugs

ABSTRACT The long-term use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. A promising strategy to combat bacterial infections aims at hampering their adaptability to the host environment without affecting growth. In this context, the intercellular communication system quorum sensing (QS), which controls virulence factor production and biofilm formation in diverse human pathogens, is considered an ideal target. Here, we describe the identification of new inhibitors of the pqs QS system of the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa by screening a library of 1,600 U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs. Phenotypic characterization of ad hoc engineered strains and in silico molecular docking demonstrated that the antifungal drugs clotrimazole and miconazole, as well as an antibacterial compound active against Gram-positive pathogens, clofoctol, inhibit the pqs system, probably by targeting the transcriptional regulator PqsR. The most active inhibitor, clofoctol, specifically inhibited the expression of pqs-controlled virulence traits in P. aeruginosa, such as pyocyanin production, swarming motility, biofilm formation, and expression of genes involved in siderophore production. Moreover, clofoctol protected Galleria mellonella larvae from P. aeruginosa infection and inhibited the pqs QS system in P. aeruginosa isolates from cystic fibrosis patients. Notably, clofoctol is already approved for clinical treatment of pulmonary infections caused by Gram-positive bacterial pathogens; hence, this drug has considerable clinical potential as an antivirulence agent for the treatment of P. aeruginosa lung infections.

scholarly journals Alginate Oligosaccharide-Induced Modification of the lasI-lasR and rhlI-rhlR Quorum-Sensing Systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison A. Jack ◽  
Saira Khan ◽  
Lydia C. Powell ◽  
Manon F. Pritchard ◽  
Konrad Beck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Steric Interaction ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa plays a major role in many chronic infections. Its ability to readily form biofilms contributes to its success as an opportunistic pathogen and its resistance/tolerance to antimicrobial/antibiotic therapy. A low-molecular-weight alginate oligomer (OligoG CF-5/20) derived from marine algae has previously been shown to impair motility in P. aeruginosa biofilms and disrupt pseudomonal biofilm assembly. As these bacterial phenotypes are regulated by quorum sensing (QS), we hypothesized that OligoG CF-5/20 may induce alterations in QS signaling in P. aeruginosa . QS regulation was studied by using Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 biosensor assays that showed a significant reduction in acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) production following OligoG CF-5/20 treatment (≥2%; P < 0.05). This effect was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of C 4 -AHL and 3-oxo-C 12 -AHL production (≥2%; P < 0.05). Moreover, quantitative PCR showed that reduced expression of both the las and rhl systems was induced following 24 h of treatment with OligoG CF-5/20 (≥0.2%; P < 0.05). Circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated that these alterations were not due to steric interaction between the AHL and OligoG CF-5/20. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and COMSTAT image analysis demonstrated that OligoG CF-5/20-treated biofilms had a dose-dependent decrease in biomass that was associated with inhibition of extracellular DNA synthesis (≥0.5%; P < 0.05). These changes correlated with alterations in the extracellular production of the pseudomonal virulence factors pyocyanin, rhamnolipids, elastase, and total protease ( P < 0.05). The ability of OligoG CF-5/20 to modify QS signaling in P. aeruginosa PAO1 may influence critical downstream functions such as virulence factor production and biofilm formation.

scholarly journals Modulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing by Glutathione

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhou ◽  
Meizhen Wang ◽  
Nicole E. Smalley ◽  
Maxim Kostylev ◽  
Amy L. Schaefer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Cell Density ◽  
Redox State ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Cellular Redox ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cellular Redox State

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses quorum sensing (QS) to regulate the production of a battery of secreted products. At least some of these products are shared among the population and serve as public goods. When P. aeruginosa is grown on casein as the sole carbon and energy source, the QS-induced extracellular protease elastase is required for growth. We isolated a P. aeruginosa variant, which showed increased production of QS-induced factors after repeated transfers in casein broth. This variant, P. aeruginosa QS*, had a mutation in the glutathione synthesis gene gshA. We describe several experiments that show a gshA coding variant and glutathione affect the QS response. The P. aeruginosa QS transcription factor LasR has a redox-sensitive cysteine (C79). We report that GshA variant cells with a LasR C79S substitution show a similar QS response to that of wild-type P. aeruginosa. Surprisingly, it is not LasR but the QS transcription factor RhlR that is more active in bacteria containing the variant gshA. Our results demonstrate that QS integrates information about cell density and the cellular redox state via glutathione levels. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacteria coordinate group behaviors using a chemical communication system called quorum sensing (QS). The QS system of P. aeruginosa is complex, with several regulators and signals. We show that decreased levels of glutathione lead to increased gene activation in P. aeruginosa, which did not occur in a strain carrying the redox-insensitive variant of a transcription factor. The ability of P. aeruginosa QS transcription factors to integrate information about cell density and cellular redox state shows these transcription factors can fine-tune levels of the gene products they control in response to at least two types of signals or cues.

scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa Regulatory Protein AnvM Controls Pathogenicity in Anaerobic Environments and Impacts Host Defense

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingchao Zhang ◽  
Chuan-min Zhou ◽  
Qinqin Pu ◽  
Qun Wu ◽  
Shirui Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sensing System ◽  
Quorum Sensing System ◽  
Aerobic And Anaerobic ◽  
Aerobic And Anaerobic Conditions

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the most common pathogens in hospital-acquired infections, is tightly controlled by a multilayered regulatory network, including the quorum sensing system (QS), the type VI secretion system (T6SS), and resistance to host immunity. We found that the P. aeruginosa 3880 (PA3880) gene, which encodes an unknown protein, acts as a regulator of anaerobic metabolism in response to oxidative stress and virulence in P. aeruginosa. More than 30 PA3880 homologs were found in other bacterial genomes, indicating that PA3880 is widely distributed in the Bacteria kingdom as a highly conserved gene. Deletion of the PA3880 gene changed the expression levels of more than 700 genes, including a group of virulence genes, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. To further study the mechanisms of PA3880-mediated regulation in virulence, we utilized a bacterial two-hybrid assay and found that the PA3880 protein interacted directly with QS regulator MvfR and anaerobic regulator Anr. Loss of the PA3880 protein significantly blunted the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa, resulting in increased host survival, decreased bacterial burdens, reduced inflammatory responses, and fewer lung injuries in challenged mice hosts. Mechanistically, we found that Cys44 was a critical site for the full function of PA3880 in influencing alveolar macrophage phagocytosis and bacterial clearance. We also found that AnvM directly interacted with host receptors Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR5, which might lead to activation of the host immune response. Hence, we gave the name AnvM (anaerobic and virulence modulator) to the PA3880 protein. This characterization of AnvM could help to uncover new targets and strategies to treat P. aeruginosa infections. IMPORTANCE Infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the most frequently isolated human pathogens, can create huge financial burdens. However, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa remains elusive. We identified AnvM as a novel regulator of virulence in P. aeruginosa. Deletion of anvM altered the expression levels of more than 700 genes under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, including quorum sensing system genes and oxidative stress resistance genes. AnvM directly interacted with MvfR and Anr, thus regulating their downstream genes. More importantly, AnvM directly bound to TLR2 and TLR5, which turn on the host immune response. These findings provide insights into the significance of AnvM homologs in pathogenic bacteria and suggest a potential drug target against bacterial infection.

scholarly journals A rhlI 5′ UTR-Derived sRNA Regulates RhlR-Dependent Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen K. Thomason ◽  
Maya Voichek ◽  
Daniel Dar ◽  
Victoria Addis ◽  
David Fitzgerald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Bacterial Physiology ◽  
Small Regulatory Rna ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
Opportunistic Human Pathogen

ABSTRACT N-Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing (QS) controls expression of over 200 genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There are two AHL regulatory systems: the LasR-LasI circuit and the RhlR-RhlI system. We mapped transcription termination sites affected by AHL QS in P. aeruginosa, and in doing so we identified AHL-regulated small RNAs (sRNAs). Of interest, we noted that one particular sRNA was located within the rhlI locus. We found that rhlI, which encodes the enzyme that produces the AHL N-butanoyl-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL), is controlled by a 5′ untranslated region (UTR)-derived sRNA we name RhlS. We also identified an antisense RNA encoded opposite the beginning of the rhlI open reading frame, which we name asRhlS. RhlS accumulates as wild-type cells enter stationary phase and is required for the production of normal levels of C4-HSL through activation of rhlI translation. RhlS also directly posttranscriptionally regulates at least one other unlinked gene, fpvA. The asRhlS appears to be expressed at maximal levels during logarithmic growth, and we suggest RhlS may act antagonistically to the asRhlS to regulate rhlI translation. The rhlI-encoded sRNAs represent a novel aspect of RNA-mediated tuning of P. aeruginosa QS. IMPORTANCE The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa possesses multiple quorum sensing systems that regulate and coordinate production of virulence factors and adaptation to different environments. Despite extensive research, the regulatory elements that play a role in this complex network are still not fully understood. By using several RNA sequencing techniques, we were able to identify a small regulatory RNA we named RhlS. RhlS increases translation of RhlI, a key enzyme in the quorum sensing pathway, and represses the fpvA mRNA encoding one of the siderophore pyoverdine receptors. Our results highlight a new regulatory layer of P. aeruginosa quorum sensing and contribute to the growing understanding of the role regulatory RNAs play in bacterial physiology.

scholarly journals Signal Synthase-Type versus Catabolic Monooxygenases: Retracing 3-Hydroxylation of 2-Alkylquinolones and Their N-Oxides by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Other Pulmonary Pathogens

2021 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niklas H. Ritzmann ◽  
Steffen L. Drees ◽  
Susanne Fetzner
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Multidrug Efflux Pump ◽  
Therapeutic Success ◽  
Signal Molecule ◽  
Physiological Level ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The multiple biological activities of 2-alkylquinolones (AQs) are crucial for virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, conferring advantages during infection and in polymicrobial communities. Whereas 2-heptyl-3-hydroxyquinolin-4(1H)-one (the “Pseudomonas quinolone signal” [PQS]) is an important quorum sensing signal molecule, 2-alkyl-1-hydroxyquinolin-4(1H)-ones (also known as 2-alkyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxides [AQNOs]) are antibiotics inhibiting respiration. Hydroxylation of the PQS precursor 2-heptylquinolin-4(1H)-one (HHQ) by the signal synthase PqsH boosts AQ quorum sensing. Remarkably, the same reaction, catalyzed by the ortholog AqdB, is used by Mycobacteroides abscessus to initiate degradation of AQs. The antibiotic 2-heptyl-1-hydroxyquinolin-4(1H)-one (HQNO) is hydroxylated by Staphylococcus aureus to the less toxic derivative PQS-N-oxide (PQS-NO), a reaction probably also catalyzed by a PqsH/AqdB ortholog. In this study, we provide a comparative analysis of four AQ 3-monooxygenases of different organisms. Due to the major impact of AQ/AQNO 3-hydroxylation on the biological activities of the compounds, we surmised adaptations on the enzymatic and/or physiological level to serve either the producer or target organisms. Our results indicate that all enzymes share similar features and are incapable of discriminating between AQs and AQNOs. PQS-NO, hence, occurs as a native metabolite of P. aeruginosa although the unfavorable AQNO 3-hydroxylation is minimized by export as shown for HQNO, involving at least one multidrug efflux pump. Moreover, M. abscessus is capable of degrading the AQNO heterocycle by concerted action of AqdB and dioxygenase AqdC. However, S. aureus and M. abscessus orthologs disfavor AQNOs despite their higher toxicity, suggesting that catalytic constraints restrict evolutionary adaptation and lead to the preference of non-N-oxide substrates by AQ 3-monooxygenases. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Mycobacteroides abscessus are major players in bacterial chronic infections and particularly common colonizers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung tissue. Whereas S. aureus is an early onset pathogen in CF, P. aeruginosa establishes at later stages. M. abscessus occurs at all stages but has a lower epidemiological incidence. The dynamics of how these pathogens interact can affect survival and therapeutic success. 2-Alkylquinolone (AQ) and 2-alkylhydroxyquinoline N-oxide (AQNO) production is a major factor of P. aeruginosa virulence. The 3-position of the AQ scaffold is critical, both for attenuation of AQ toxicity or degradation by competitors, as well as for full unfolding of quorum sensing. Despite lacking signaling functionality, AQNOs have the strongest impact on suppression of Gram-positives. Because evidence for 3-hydroxylation of AQNOs has been reported, it is desirable to understand the extent by which AQ 3-monooxygenases contribute to manipulation of AQ/AQNO equilibrium, resistance, and degradation.

scholarly journals Study of quorum-sensing LasR and RhlR genes and their dependent virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from infected burn wounds

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Ahmad Elnegery ◽  
Wafaa Kamel Mowafy ◽  
Tarek Ahmed Zahra ◽  
Noha Tharwat Abou El-Khier
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Burn Wounds ◽  
Link Type

Background. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for burn-wound infection. High incidence, infection severity and increasing resistance characterize P. aeruginosa -induced burn infection. Purpose. To estimate quorum-sensing (QS)-dependent virulence factors of P. aeruginosa isolates from burn wounds and correlate it to the presence of QS genes. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study included 50 P . aeruginosa isolates from burn patients in Mansoura University Plastic and Burn Hospital, Egypt. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were done. All isolates were tested for their ability to produce biofilm using a micro-titration assay method. Protease, pyocyanin and rhamnolipid virulence factors were determined using skimmed milk agar, King’s A medium and CTAB agar test, respectively. The identity of QS lasR and rhlR genes was confirmed using PCR. Results. In total, 86 % of isolates had proteolytic activity. Production of pyocyanin pigment was manifested in 66 % of isolates. Altogether, 76 % of isolates were rhamnolipid producers. Biofilm formation was detected in 96 % of isolates. QS lasR and rhlR genes were harboured by nearly all isolates except three isolates were negative for both lasR and rhlR genes and two isolates were positive for lasR gene and negative for rhlR gene. Forty-nine isolates were considered as extremely QS-proficient strains as they produced QS-dependent virulence factors. In contrast, one isolate was a QS deficient strain. Conclusions. QS affects P. aeruginosa virulence-factor production and biofilm in burn wounds. Isolates containing lasR and rhlR seem to be a crucial regulator of virulence factors and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa whereas the lasR gene positively regulates biofilm formation, proteolytic activity, pyocyanin production and rhamnolipid biosurfactant synthesis. The QS regulatory RhlR gene affects protease and rhamnolipid production positively.

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