Differential roles of OxyR-controlled antioxidant enzymes alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpCF) and catalase (KatB) in the protection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa against hydrogen peroxide in biofilm vs. planktonic culture

The role of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa OxyR-controlled antioxidants alkyl hydroperoxide reductase CF (AhpCF) and catalase B (KatB) was evaluated in biofilm vs. planktonic culture upon exposure to hydrogen peroxide. AhpCF was found to be critical for survival of biofilm bacteria while KatB was more important for survival of planktonic free-swimming organisms.     

Magnetic fields suppress Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and enhance ciprofloxacin activity

Due to the refractory nature of pathogenic microbial biofilms, innovative biofilm eradication strategies are constantly being sought. Thus, this study addresses a novel approach to eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), and magnetic fields were systematically evaluated in vitro for their relative anti-biofilm contributions. Twenty-four-hour biofilms exposed to aerosolized MNPs, Cipro, or a combination of both, were assessed in the presence or absence of magnetic fields (Static one-sided, Static switched, Oscillating, Static + oscillating) using changes in bacterial metabolism, biofilm biomass, and biofilm imaging. The biofilms exposed to magnetic fields alone exhibited significant metabolic and biomass reductions (p < 0.05). When biofilms were treated with a MNP/Cipro combination, the most significant metabolic and biomass reductions were observed when exposed to static switched magnetic fields (p < 0.05). The exposure of P. aeruginosa biofilms to a static switched magnetic field alone, or co-administration with MNP/Cipro/MNP + Cipro appears to be a promising approach to eradicate biofilms of this bacterium.     

大蒜素对铜绿假单胞菌生物膜早期黏附及胞外多糖的影响

目的研究大蒜素对铜绿假单胞菌PA01菌株生物膜（biofilm,BF）早期黏附及胞外多糖复合物（Extracellular Polymeric Substances,EPS）的影响。方法利用荧光多功能酶标仪检测各组不同时间点96孔板中pGF-Puv转化PA01菌株的荧光强度,计算黏附率以表示干预对不同时间点细菌黏附的影响,利用荧光显微镜下定性观察细菌的黏附量;应用异硫氰酸标记的刀豆蛋白A（FITC conjugated concanavalin A,FITC-conA）特异性结合细菌EPS,荧光显微镜下定性观察各组EPS的变化;利用硫酸-苯酚法定量各组细菌EPS的产量。结果6h组,大蒜素高浓度干预后细菌的黏附率由0．70±0．03下降至0．50±0．01,t=15．014,P〈0．05,大蒜素低浓度干预后黏附率也有下降,但不及高浓度组明显;除了9h组其他时间组趋势与6h组大致相似,可能与大蒜素含量下降有关。荧光显微镜观察可见生理盐水对照组细菌菌落分布,干预组黏附的细菌稀疏散在分布,以高浓度为甚。FITC-conA可使胞外多糖显色,在荧光显微镜下观察可见大蒜素干预后EPS减少,稀薄;EPS定量实验,EPS总量大蒜素高浓度干预组（181．19±1．59）μg较生理盐水对照组（602．66±21．94）μg有明显降低,t=60．589,P〈0．05。结论大蒜素可显著减少PA01菌株黏附及产EPS的能力。     

Disinfection of Bacillus subtilis spore-contaminated surface materials with a sodium hypochlorite and a hydrogen peroxide-based sanitizer

Aims: To evaluate a sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide solution (Ox‐B7) as a potential decontaminant of Bacillus subtilis spore‐contaminated surface materials (porous and nonporous). Methods and Results: Test materials were contaminated with B. subtilis spores to a final concentration in the range of 5·7–6·6 log CFU cm^?2. Ox‐B7 reduced spore counts by 99·999% (5 log) for both porous and nonporous surfaces within a 5‐min contact. Treatment with equivalent concentrations of only sodium hypochlorite reduced spore counts by 99% (2 log) on porous materials and by 99·99% (4 log) on nonporous materials. Hydrogen peroxide treatments reduced spores by less than 90% (<1 log) on both porous and nonporous materials when compared with untreated samples. Conclusions: A combination of sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide (Ox‐B7) effectively killed B. subtilis spores on both porous and nonporous surface materials. Significance and Impact of the Study: The combination of sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide can be used as an alternative disinfectant of spore‐contaminated surface materials, as it is more effective than when hydrogen peroxide or sodium hypochlorite are used separately.     

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.     

Synergistic activity of chlorhexidine and synoeca-MP peptide against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬This study aims to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities and cytotoxicity of chlorhexidine (CHX) and synoeca-MP peptide alone or in combination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antimicrobial property was evaluated by the determination of minimal inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and planktonic bacteria and biofilm inhibition. Immunomodulatory activity was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and nitric oxide production by the Griess reaction method. According to the results, synoeca-MP combined with CHX demonstrated antimicrobial effectiveness compared with its isolated use, in addition to immunomodulatory activity (upregulating MPC-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α and downregulating nitric oxide and interleukin-10). In this context, it is expected that the substances, together, could be capable of controlling bacterial infection and dissemination, besides potentiating macrophages’ immune response against the studied microorganism. Moreover, reducing the CHX concentration by the addition of synoeca-MP peptide may, in a beneficial way, minimize the undesirable effects of both, CHX and synoeca-MP in a clinical setting.     

Chemiluminescence intensities and spectra of luminol oxidation by sodium hypochlorite in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide amplifies the chemiluminescence in the oxidation of luminol by sodium hypochlorite. A linear relationship between concentration of hydrogen peroxide and light intensity was found in the concentration range 5 × 10^?8?7.5 × 10^?6 mol/l. At 7.5 × 10^?6 mol/l H₂O₂ the chemiluminescence is amplified 550—fold. The chemiluminescence spectra of these reactions have a wavelength maximum at 431 nm independent of the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The results indicate that hydrogen peroxide is a necessary component in the chemiluminescent oxidation of the luminol by sodium hypochlorite.     

Copper ions and hydrogen peroxide form hypochlorite from NaCl thereby mimicking myeloperoxidase

Sea urchins have elaborated multiple defenses to assure monospermic fertilization. In this work, we have concentrated on a study of the mechanism(s) by which hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) prevents polyspermy in Arbacia punctulata. We found that it is not H₂O₂ but probably hypochlorous acid/hypochlorite (HOCl/OCl^?) derived from H₂O₂ that is toxic to the supernumerary sperm. The spermicidal activity of H₂O₂ is potentiated by at least one order of magnitude by cupric ions (Cu²⁺). This increased toxicity is not due to the formation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) because ·OH scavengers did not counteract the activity of Cu²⁺. More-over, substitution of Cu²⁺ by ferrous ions (Fe²⁺), which are known to cause formation of ·OH from H₂O₂, had no effect on fertilization even at 10²?10³ times higher concentrations. In contrast, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT), an HOCl/OCl^? scavenger, totally reversed the toxic effects of Cu²⁺. Furthermore, we found that HOCl/OCl^? is generated in solutions of H₂O₂ and Cu²⁺ in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl and that its accumulation is abolished by AT. Thus it is possible that the antifertility properties of copper are due to its ability to mediate formation of HOCl/OCl^?. HOCl/OCl^? generated by Cu²⁺ from H₂O₂ and Cl^?, a low concentration of exogenously added HOCl/OCl^?, or increased concentrations of H₂O₂ has similar inhibitory effects on the fertilization process in sea urchins. Therefore, we suggest that polyspermy is prevented by the action of a myeloperoxidase that affects the formation of HOCl/OCl^? from the Cl^? present in sea water through reaction with H₂O₂ generated by the newly fertilized egg.     

Mechanisms of inhibition of chemiluminescence in the oxidation of luminol by sodium hypochlorite

Two different mechanisms of inhibition of chemiluminescence in the oxidation of luminol by sodium hypochlorite were found. Most substances investigated in these experiments acted by scavenging NaOCI. This mechanism was independent of the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the incubation time between luminol and inhibitors. The most potent inhibitors were substances containing SH groups. Compounds with amino groups as a target for HOCI/OCI^? to yield chloramines were much less effective inhibitors. Another mechanism of inhibition was found for catalase. It depended on the presence of hydrogen peroxide in the incubation medium and the incubation time between luminol and catalase. The enzyme inhibited the luminescence by removing H₂O₂ at molar concentrations much smaller than those found for all other inhibitors. Our results confirm the present models of the mechanism of generation of luminescence in luminol oxidation.     

The influence of flow cell geometry related shear stresses on the distribution,structure and susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 01 biofilms

The effects of non-uniform hydrodynamic conditions resulting from flow cell geometry (square and rectangular cross-section) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa 01 (PAO1) biofilm formation, location, and structure were investigated for nominally similar flow conditions using a combination of confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The thickness and surface coverage of PAO1 biofilms were observed to vary depending on the location in the flow cell and thus also the local wall shear stress. The biofilm structure in a 5:1 (width to height) aspect ratio rectangular flow cell was observed to consist mainly of a layer of bacterial cells with thicker biofilm formation observed in the flow cell corners. For square cross-section (1:1 aspect ratio) flow cells, generally thicker and more uniform surface coverage biofilms were observed. Mushroom shaped structures with hollow centers and wall breaks, indicative of ‘seeding’ dispersal structures, were found exclusively in the square cross-section tubes. Exposure of PAO1 biofilms grown in the flow cells to gentamicin revealed a difference in susceptibility. Biofilms grown in the rectangular flow cell overall exhibited a greater susceptibility to gentamicin compared to those grown in square flow cells. However, even within a given flow cell, differences in susceptibility were observed depending on location. This study demonstrates that the spanwise shear stress distribution within the flow cells has an important impact on the location of colonization and structure of the resultant biofilm. These differences in biofilm structure have a significant impact on the susceptibility of the biofilms grown within flow channels. The impact of flow modification due to flow cell geometry should be considered when designing flow cells for laboratory investigation of bacterial biofilms.     

A novel micellar formulation based on natural plant extracts enhances the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide against biofilms of Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

The antibacterial efficacy of hydrogen peroxide encapsulated in micelles (mH₂O₂) against biofilms was compared with that of hydrogen peroxide alone and of three commercially available aqueous biocides. The activity of mH₂O₂ on 24-h biofilms of reference strains of Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was tested in a static microtiter plate model. The biofilms were incubated with mH₂O₂ (17% v/v H₂O₂, 2% lactic acid, 0.3% phytoextract, H₂O) and its individual ingredients and compared with three aqueous biocides at different concentrations and times of exposure. After 5-min exposure, 10% mH₂O₂ (corresponding to 1.7% v/v H₂O₂) achieved > 8 log₁₀ reductions against all the test strains, while 1.7% H₂O₂ achieved a maximum of 1.5 log₁₀ reduction. After 5-min exposure, none of the commercially available biocides tested showed themselves to be capable of completely eliminating the test strains embedded in biofilms. Hydrogen peroxide encapsulated in micelles demonstrated enhanced activity against planktonic cells and biofilms of Staphylococcus spp. and P. aeruginosa.     

穿心莲内酯抗铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜及与阿奇霉素协同抗菌作用

目的研究穿心莲内酯抗铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜及与阿奇霉素协同抗菌作用。方法微量倍比稀释法测定穿心莲内酯对铜绿假单胞菌的最小抑菌浓度（MIC）,棋盘稀释法测定穿心莲内酯和阿奇霉素协同抗菌作用,MTT法测定穿心莲内酯对铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜的最小抑膜浓度（SMIC）,显微镜下观察药物对生物膜形态的影响。结果穿心莲内酯对铜绿假单胞菌的MIC 50μg/mL,和阿奇霉素有协同抗菌作用。穿心莲内酯对铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜的SMIC501天25μg/mL、3天25μg/mL、7天50μg/mL;SMIC801天50μg/mL、3天50μg/mL、7天100μg/mL,形态观察提示穿心莲内酯SMIC80浓度对铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜的抑制作用明显。结论穿心莲内酯具有抗铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜作用,对阿奇霉素也有协同抗菌作用。     

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.     

QS系统中LasR和RhlR蛋白对铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜形成的影响以及免疫原性研究

为探讨铜绿假单胞菌 PAO1 中 lasR 和 rhlR 基因表达产物的分子生物学特性,研究它们对铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜形成的影响以及对小鼠的免疫保护效果,采用聚合酶链式反应 (PCR) 方法扩增铜绿假单胞菌标准株 PAO1 中的 lasR 和 rhlR 基因,全自动荧光测序仪测序,并用 Blast 方法检测克隆片段. 利用 pGEX4T-1 载体分别构建 lasR/rhlR-pGEX4T-1 重组质粒,在大肠杆菌 BL21(DE3)中诱导表达,并经过免疫印迹实验验证其生物学活性. 用硅胶膜培养法建立生物被膜模型,诱导转入了pGFPuv 质粒的铜绿假单胞菌 PAG0305 形成生物被膜,并测定 LasR 蛋白和 RhlR 蛋白对生物被膜形成的影响. 同时用纯化的重组蛋白免疫小鼠,菌落计数法检测免疫组和对照组鼠肺对铜绿假单胞菌的清除率. 以 PAO1 染色体 DNA 为模板的 PCR 结果显示,lasR 的全基因序列为 720 bp,rhlR 基因序列为 726 bp,经序列分析和同源性比较分别与 GenBank 中 lasR/rhlR 基因(登录号:M59425; AE004768) 的同源性为 100%. 大肠杆菌 BL21 (DE3) 分别转化重组质粒 lasR/rhlR-pGEX4T-1 后,经 IPTG诱导和 SDS- 聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分析,表达的融合蛋白分子质量均为 54 ku 左右,与预期蛋白质分子质量相同. 荧光显微镜观察和测定结果表明,在硅胶膜上 PAG0305 能够形成典型的发荧光的生物被膜,LasR 或 RhlR 蛋白 (10 mg/L) 存在的情况下,PAG0305 生物被膜的形成速度在前三天比对照组平均提高 40.77%,而且两蛋白单独存在与同时存在时的作用相同. 体内实验中,免疫小鼠肺部对铜绿假单胞菌的清除率显著高于未经免疫的正常组 (P < 0.05). 上述结果表明:构建的lasR/rhlR-pGEX4T-1 重组质粒能够在大肠杆菌 BL21(DE3)中成功地表达并具有生物学活性. LasR/RhlR 蛋白在体外模型中能够加快铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜的形成速度,是调节铜绿假单胞菌生物被膜形成的重要因素之一. 免疫结果表明,重组蛋白对小鼠表现出一定的保护作用,这为进一步开展疫苗研究奠定了基础.     

乳酸钠、茶多酚与壳聚糖协同抑制铜绿假单胞菌的效果

以铜绿假单胞菌为研究对象,通过常量肉汤稀释法和琼脂扩散法探讨乳酸钠和茶多酚、壳聚糖复配后对铜绿假单胞菌是否有协同抑制效果。利用响应面方法对3种复合防腐剂的抑菌效果进行优化。应用BoxBehnken试验设计,建立3种防腐剂的二次多项式回归方程模型并进行分析。结果表明:三者对铜绿假单胞菌的抑菌效果(从大到小)顺序为乳酸钠、壳聚糖、茶多酚;乳酸钠和茶多酚交互作用极显著(p0.01),存在明显的拮抗作用;乳酸钠和壳聚糖交互作用显著(p0.05),二者存在明显的协同作用;而茶多酚和壳聚糖之间交互作用不显著(p0.05)。在乳酸钠62.50 mg/mL、壳聚糖3.17 mg/mL的条件下复合防腐剂对假单胞菌的抑菌圈达到最大,抑菌效果最好。     

Antimicrobial and antifouling efficacy of urinary catheters impregnated with a combination of macrolide and fluoroquinolone antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The incidence of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) is increasing worldwide. This study was designed to modify a biomaterial by impregnating a silicone urinary catheter with combination of a macrolide, azithromycin (AZM) and a fluoroquinolone, ciprofloxacin (CIP). Drug release profiles showed slow yet continuous release of antibiotics from catheters for one month. In vitro efficacy testing showed that group B catheters [3% (w v^?1) CIP + 6% (w v^?1) AZM] outperformed group A catheters [2% (w v^?1) CIP + 5% (w v^?1) AZM] by (1) showing larger zones of inhibition (>31 mm) compared to group A (<28 mm) for up to 30 days against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1; (2) killing adhered bacteria in 24 h compared to 24–48 h in group A; (3) showing longer antimicrobial durability for four weeks; and (4) exhibiting a stable real-time shelf life of one year, suggesting that these catheters can be explored in clinical settings, especially in long-term CAUTI.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a hydropathic facility: diversity, susceptibility and imipenem resistance mutation

Aims: To detect Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water and treatment equipment biofilms of a thermae hydropathic facility and to study antibiotic susceptibility and genetic diversity. Methods and Results: One hundred and fifty‐four planktonic isolates were obtained from 2220 water samples during 4 years. Seventy‐two biofilm isolates were obtained from 23 samples of inner parts of three inhalation equipments. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disc diffusion. All isolates were susceptible to tested antimicrobials, except two biofilm isolates and one planktonic isolate. Twenty‐one resistant mutants were observed (nine from biofilms), mostly with imipenem (IP) resistance (81%), by diminished expression of OprD porin, as it was observed by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). Random amplification polymorphic DNA showed a genetically heterogeneous population that is spread through the entire system and persistent in time. IP resistance mutation ability was spread through the population. Conclusions: The permanent assessment of Ps. aeruginosa is necessary not only in water, as expressed in official programmes, but also in equipments where biofilms are evident. Ps. aeruginosa was more prevalent in biofilm populations and presented higher ability to adapt to antibiotic pressure. Significance and Impact of the Study: Twenty‐one million people use thermae in Europe. Official microbiological quality control programmes only consider water surveillance. Present study proves the need of a review on current official programmes.