Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effect of a novel BODIPY photosensitizer against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines the use of organic dyes (photosensitizers, PSs) and visible light in order to elicit a photo-oxidative stress which causes bacterial death. GD11, a recently synthesized PS belonging to the boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) class, was demonstrated to be efficient against planktonic cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, causing a 7 log unit reduction of viable cells when administered at 2.5?μM. The effectiveness of GD11 against P. aeruginosa biofilms grown in flow-cells and microtiter trays was also demonstrated. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of flow-cell-grown biofilms suggests that the treatment has a biocidal effect against bacterial biofilm cells.     

Genes involved in copper resistance influence survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on copper surfaces

Aims:  To evaluate the killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 on copper cast alloys and the influence of genes on survival on copper containing medium and surfaces.
Methods and Results:  Different strains of P. aeruginosa were inoculated on copper containing medium or different copper cast alloys and the survival rate determined. The survival rates were compared with rates on copper-free medium and stainless steel as control. In addition, the effect of temperature on survival was examined.
Conclusions:  Copper cast alloys had been previously shown to be bactericidal to various bacteria, but the mechanism of copper-mediated killing is still not known. In this report, we demonstrate that P. aeruginosa PAO1 is rapidly killed on different copper cast alloys and that genes involved in conferring copper resistance in copper-containing medium also influenced survival on copper cast alloys. We also show that the rate of killing is influenced by temperature.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  To use copper surfaces more widely as bactericidal agents in various settings, it is important to understand how genes influence survival on these surfaces. Here we show that genes shown to be involved in copper resistance in P. aeruginosa PAO1 can have an impact on the length of survival time on copper cast alloys under certain conditions. This is an important first step for evaluation of future use of copper surfaces as bactericidal agents.     

铜绿假单胞菌医院感染调查及耐药分析

目的探讨铜绿假单胞菌(PA)医院感染的临床分布及耐药性,为临床合理使用抗菌药物及控制医院感染提供依据。方法 PA的培养与鉴定严格按照《全国临床检验操作规程》进行。药敏试验采用纸片扩散法(K-B法)。结果收集的359株PA中,分离率居前3位的临床科室依次为ICU、呼吸内科和神经内科,分别占38.1%、17.5%和13.9%;临床标本中以呼吸道标本分离率最高,占62.7%;PA对头孢哌酮/舒巴坦的耐药率最低(9.7%),其次为阿米卡星(13.1%)和头孢他啶(17.8%),另12种抗菌药物的耐药率均较高。结论 PA耐药性已十分严重,临床应根据药敏结果合理使用抗菌药物并加强对细菌耐药性的全面监测。     

Comparative hydrocarbon utilization by hydrophobic and hydrophilic variants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Aims: To investigate hydrocarbon degradation by hydrophobic, hydrophilic and parental strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods and Results: Partitioning of hydrocarbon‐degrading P. aeruginosa strain in a solvent/aqueous system yielded hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions. Exhaustive partitioning of aqueous‐phase cells yielded the hydrophilic variants (L), while sequential fractionation of the hydrophobic phase cells yielded successive fractions exhibiting increasing cell‐surface hydrophobicity (CSH). In hydrocarbon adherence assays (bacterial attachment to hydrocarbon), L had a value of 20%, which increased from 61·7% in first hydrophobic fraction (H₁) to 72·2% in the third (H₃). Crude oil degradation by L was 70%, but increased from 82% in H₁ to 93% in H₃. L variant produced most exopolysaccharides and reduced surface tension from about 73 to 49 mN m^?1. Rhamnolipid production was highest in L, but was not detected in all crude oil cultures. Conclusions: Hydrophobic subpopulations of hydrocarbon‐degrading P. aeruginosa exhibited greater hydrocarbon‐utilizing ability than hydrophilic ones, or the parental strain. Significance and Impact of the Study: Results demonstrate that a population of P. aeruginosa consists of cells with different CSH which affect hydrocarbon utilization. This potentially provides the population with the capacity to utilize different hydrophobic substrates found in petroleum. Judicious selection of such hydrophobic subpopulations can enhance hydrocarbon pollution bioremediation.     

Surface hydrophobicity and dispersal of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from biofilms

A novel method of cell culture was employed to control the growth-rate of bacterial biofilms [1]. Cell-surface hydrophobicity increased progressively with growth rate for planktonic, chemostatgrown Pseudomonas aeruginosa and also for cells, resuspended from the biofilms. Dependence of surface hydrophobicity upon growth rate was greater for the planktonic cells. Newly-formed daughter cells, shed from the biofilms, were in all cases more hydrophilic than their adherent counterparts and demonstrated only slight growth rate dependency for this property.     

Anti-biofilm activity of silver nanoparticles against different microorganisms

Biofilms confer protection from adverse environmental conditions and can be reservoirs for pathogenic organisms and sources of disease outbreaks, especially in medical devices. The goal of this research was to evaluate the anti-biofilm activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against several microorganisms of clinical interest. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was tested within biofilms generated under static conditions and also under high fluid shears conditions using a bioreactor. A 4-log reduction in the number of colony-forming units of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was recorded under turbulent fluid conditions in the CDC reactor on exposure to 100?mg?ml^?1 of AgNPs. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs on various microbial strains grown on polycarbonate membranes is reported. In conclusion, AgNPs effectively prevent the formation of biofilms and kill bacteria in established biofilms, which suggests that AgNPs could be used for prevention and treatment of biofilm-related infections. Further research and development are necessary to translate this technology into therapeutic and preventive strategies.     

Copper uptake and its compartmentalization in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains: Chemical nature of cellular metal

Copper-sensitive (Cu^s) and copper-resistant (Cu^r) strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were characterized in terms of Cu²⁺ sensitivity, uptake and its compartmentalization in the possible cell sectors. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Cu²⁺ for the Cu^r strain (3.2 mM and 0.12 mM in enriched- and in minimal-medium, respectively) were almost 5-fold higher over that of its sensitive counterpart. While Cu^s strain accumulated Cu²⁺ to a maximum of 1.8 mol mg^–1 protein, Cu^r strain increased it to 2.37 mol mg^–1 protein. Both the strains also demonstrated energy- and pH-dependent Cu²⁺ uptake through the broad-substrate range divalent cation (Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Co²⁺) uptake system as well as through the system specific for Cu²⁺. Cell-fractionation study revealed that in Cu^r strain, periplasm and membrane are the main Cu²⁺ binding sites, whereas, in case of Cu^s strain, it is the cytoplasm. The overall observations indicate that the Cu^r strain restricted Cu²⁺ sequestration exterior to the cytoplasm as the possible strategy for Cu-resistance. The chemical nature of Cu²⁺ deposition in the respective strains was also ascertained by X-ray powder diffraction analysis.     

A benzimidazole-based ruthenium(IV) complex inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation by interacting with siderophores and the cell envelope,and inducing oxidative stress

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-associated infections are a serious medical problem, and new compounds and therapies acting through novel mechanisms are much needed. Herein, the authors report a ruthenium(IV) complex that reduces P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation by 84%, and alters biofilm morphology and the living-to-dead cell ratio at 1?mM concentration. Including the compound in the culture medium altered the pigments secreted by PAO1, and fluorescence spectra revealed a decrease in pyoverdine. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the ruthenium complex did not penetrate the bacterial cell wall, but accumulated on external cell structures. Fluorescence quenching experiments indicated strong binding of the ruthenium complex to both plasmid DNA and bovine serum albumin. Formamidopyrimidine DNA N-glycosylase (Fpg) protein digestion of plasmid DNA isolated after ruthenium(IV) complex treatment revealed the generation of oxidative stress, which was further proved by the observed upregulation of catalase and superoxide dismutase gene expression.     

Pseudobactins bounded iron nanoparticles for control of an antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa ryn32

Among 50 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa tested for the resistance to antibiotics, strain ryn32 was selected for this study based on its resistance level. It showed complete resistance toward aztreonam and almost complete resistance (96%) against kanamycin. Iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) were then prepared and found with diameters 30–50 nm. The threshold level of FeNPs for pyoverdines (PVDs) production by P. aeruginosa ryn32 was found at 25 μM concentration. PVDs production was optimal with pH 7.5, 35°C, succinate as carbon source, ammonium sulfate as nitrogen source at 60 hr fermentation time. Interestingly, when used the PVDs as conjugates with FeNPs they showed antibacterial action against the producing strain and some other gram-negative bacteria. This suggests that the conjugates enter the bacterial cell via the ferriPVDs uptake pathway, which triggers the accumulation of FeNPs inside the cell, which is crucial on bacterial viability. Growth stimulation with the same concentrations of FeNPs and PVDs in separate treatments supported this view.     

301株铜绿假单胞菌的分布及耐药性分析

目的 通过对临床中分离的铜绿假单胞菌的分布及对临床常用13种抗生素的耐药性进行分析指导临床合理用药.方法 收集大连医科大学附属第二医院2010年1月至12月临床送检的标本,采用全自动细菌和药敏分析仪分离铜绿假单胞菌同时进行药敏试验.结果 铜绿假单胞菌在痰液标本中分离率高达79.06％;对头孢噻肟、头孢西丁、头孢唑啉3种药物的耐药率均大于50％;对头孢他啶,哌拉西林/他唑巴坦耐药率低于20％.结论 铜绿假单胞菌易产生多源耐药,加强耐药性监测,控制医院内感染,对临床医生选用有效的抗生素具有十分重要的意义.     

Arbitrary primed PCR fingerprinting and serotyping of clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains

Arbitrary primed PCR (AP-PCR) analysis was compared with serotyping as a means of high-resolution typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Seventy-four isolates from 3 different hospitals and 18 reference strains were studied. Serotyping provided good index of discrimination, although eleven isolates could not be serotyped. Genomic DNA was amplified with a single 10 nucleotide primer (sequence 5′-AGG GGT CTT G-3′). The strains were genetically diverse and 61 different AP-PCR profiles of 2–7 bands between 0.3 and 2.4 kb were obtained. AP-PCR profiles were not consistently associated with serotypes, but they clearly subtyped strains of the same serotype. Numerical analysis of AP-PCR patterns defined 7 groups at the 55% similarity level, and identified predominant strains in each hospital. The results show that AP-PCR analysis provides a simple and practical approach to typing P. aeruginosa that is more discriminatory than traditional serotyping scheme. We suggest that maximum discrimination can be achieved by a combination of both methods.     

Biofilm inhibition and anti-quorum sensing activity of phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles against the nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Quorum sensing (QS), the communication signaling network, regulates biofilm formation and several virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, a nosocomial opportunistic pathogen. QS is considered to be a challenging target for compounds antagonistic to virulent factors. Biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are reported as anti-QS and anti-biofilm drugs against bacterial infections. The present study reports on the synthesis and characterization of Piper betle (Pb) mediated AgNPs (Pb-AgNPs). The anti-QS activity of Pb-AgNPs against Chromobacterium violaceum and the potential effect of Pb-AgNPs on QS-regulated phenotypes in PAO1 were studied. FTIR analysis exhibited that Pb-AgNPs had been capped by phytochemical constituents of Pb. Eugenol is one of the active phenolic phytochemicals in Pb leaves, therefore molecular docking of eugenol-conjugated AgNPs on QS regulator proteins (LasR, LasI and MvfR) was performed. Eugenol-conjugated AgNPs showed considerable binding interactions with QS-associated proteins. These results provide novel insights into the development of phytochemically conjugated nanoparticles as promising anti-infective candidates.     

126株铜绿假单胞菌的临床分布及耐药性分析

目的调查分析象山县中医医院铜绿假单胞菌的临床分布及药敏情况,为临床合理选用抗生素提供可靠的依据。方法采集疑似患者的标本,进行分离、培养与鉴定。采用自动微生物鉴定／药敏分析仪进行鉴定及药敏试验,对2012年7月至2013年10月分离出的126株铜绿假单胞菌（包括21株黏液型铜绿假单胞菌）的分布及耐药性进行回顾性分析。结果126株铜绿假单胞菌临床主要分布情况：痰占80．2％,尿液占11．1％,脓液占7．1％,以呼吸道感染为主。对铜绿假单胞菌保持活性较强同时耐药率〈20％的抗生素有阿米卡星、妥布霉素、亚胺培南、哌拉西林／他唑巴坦,其中碳青霉烯类耐药率升至5％,原来被认为抗铜绿假单胞菌较为有效的喹诺酮类抗生素的耐药率也有了很大提升,左氧氟沙星耐药率升至33％。黏液型铜绿假单胞菌的体外抗菌药物敏感试验耐药性较弱,且明显弱于非黏液型铜绿假单胞菌的耐药性。结论铜绿假单胞菌为医院呼吸道感染的常见致病菌,对多种抗菌药物呈不同程度耐药。加强动态监测,合理使用抗菌药物,对铜绿假单胞菌感染的预防和药物治疗具有重要指导意义。     

铜绿假单胞菌对长链烷烃的摄取模式

研究了一株铜绿假单胞菌(CGMCC 1.1785)摄取长链烷烃的模式。铜绿假单胞菌1．1785能够以固态的长链烷烃为唯一碳源生长,在培养过程中产生表面活性代谢物。烃与水相的界面面积是细菌生长重要的影响因素,说明传质限制的存在。由于该菌不能够利用鼠李糖脂增溶的烃作为碳源,因此添加鼠李糖脂能够强化烃摄取的主要原因是烃界面的扩大。细胞表面疏水性从开始的急剧升高到后来的不断下降,说明在不同生长阶段细胞对烃的摄取模式是不同的。由此认为,铜绿假单胞菌1.1785既没有通过表面活性剂介导模式获取烃,也并非完全通过直接接触模式获取烃。据此提出该菌采用了一种运动接触的烃摄取模式,其趋化运动能力在这种摄取过程中起到重要作用。     

Bifunctional silica nanoparticles for the exploration of biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Luminescent silica nanoparticles are frequently employed for biotechnology applications mainly because of their easy functionalization, photo-stability, and biocompatibility. Bifunctional silica nanoparticles (BSNPs) are described here as new efficient tools for investigating complex biological systems such as biofilms. Photoluminescence is brought about by the incorporation of a silylated ruthenium(II) complex. The surface properties of the silica particles were designed by reaction with amino-organosilanes, quaternary ammonium-organosilanes, carboxylate-organosilanes and hexamethyldisilazane. BSNPs were characterized extensively by DRIFT, ¹³C and ²⁹Si solid state NMR, XPS, and photoluminescence. Zeta potential and contact angle measurements exhibited various surface properties (hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance and electric charge) according to the functional groups. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) measurements showed that the spatial distribution of these nanoparticles inside a biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 depends more on their hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics than on their size. CLSM observations using two nanosized particles (25 and 68?nm) suggest that narrow diffusion paths exist through the extracellular polymeric substances matrix.