Alginate overproduction affects Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm structure and function

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

  • Morten Hentzer
  • G M Teitzel
  • G J Balzer
  • Arne Heydorn
  • Søren Molin
  • Givskov, Michael
  • M R Parsek
During the course of chronic cystic fibrosis (CF) infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa undergoes a conversion to a mucoid phenotype, which is characterized by overproduction of the exopolysaccharide alginate. Chronic P. aeruginosa infections involve surface-attached, highly antibiotic-resistant communities of microorganisms organized in biofilms. Although biofilm formation and the conversion to mucoidy are both important aspects of CF pathogenesis, the relationship between them is at the present unclear. In this study, we report that the overproduction of alginate affects biofilm development on an abiotic surface. Biofilms formed by an alginate-overproducing strain exhibit a highly structured architecture and are significantly more resistant to the antibiotic tobramycin than a biofilm formed by an isogenic nonmucoid strain. These results suggest that an important consequence of the conversion to mucoidy is an altered biofilm architecture that shows increasing resistance to antimicrobial treatments.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftJournal of Bacteriology
Vol/bind183
Udgave nummer18
Sider (fra-til)5395-401
Antal sider7
ISSN0021-9193
StatusUdgivet - 2001
Eksternt udgivetJa

ID: 44310426