biofilm
Public and Environmental Health Microbiology | SpotlightLoss of Function in Escherichia coli Exposed to Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Benzalkonium ChlorideExposure to very low concentrations of biocides in the environment is a poorly understood risk factor for antimicrobial resistance. Repeated exposure to trace levels of the biocide benzalkonium chloride (BAC) resulted in loss of function (motility) and a general reduction in bacterial fitness but relatively minor decreases in susceptibility. These changes were accompanied by widespread changes in the...
Environmental MicrobiologyIron Homeostasis in Bacillus subtilis Requires Siderophore Production and Biofilm FormationIron acquisition is of fundamental importance for microorganisms, since this metal is generally poorly bioavailable under natural conditions. In the environment, most bacteria are found tightly packed within multicellular communities named biofilms. Here, using the soil Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, we show that biofilm formation and the production of...
Environmental MicrobiologySiderophore-Mediated Iron Acquisition Enhances Resistance to Oxidative and Aromatic Compound Stress in Cupriavidus necator JMP134Since siderophores have been widely exploited for agricultural, environmental, and medical applications, the identification and characterization of new siderophores from different habitats and organisms will have great beneficial applications. Here, we identified a novel siderophore-producing gene cluster in C. necator JMP134. This gene cluster produces a previously...
Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyPrimary Colonizing Betaproteobacteriales Play a Key Role in the Growth of Legionella pneumophila in Biofilms on Surfaces Exposed to Drinking Water Treated by Slow Sand FiltrationProliferation of L. pneumophila in premise plumbing poses a public health threat. Extended water treatment using physicochemical and biofiltration processes, including slow sand filtration, at four surface water supplies in The Netherlands reduces the microbial growth potential of the treated water to a minimum level, and the distributed drinking water complies with...
Genetics and Molecular BiologyVibrio fischeri Biofilm Formation Prevented by a Trio of RegulatorsBacterial biofilms promote attachment to a variety of surfaces and protect the constituent bacteria from environmental stresses, including antimicrobials. Understanding the mechanisms by which biofilms form will promote our ability to resolve them when they occur in the context of an infection. In this study, we found that Vibrio fischeri tightly controls biofilm...
- Genetics and Molecular BiologyMgrA Negatively Regulates Biofilm Formation and Detachment by Repressing the Expression of psm Operons in Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a human and animal pathogen that can cause biofilm-associated infections. PSMs have multiple functions in biofilm development and virulence in staphylococcal pathogenesis. This study has revealed that MgrA can negatively regulate psm expression by binding directly to the promoter regions of psm operons. Furthermore, our...
- Environmental MicrobiologyAntibacterial Effects of Phage Lysin LysGH15 on Planktonic Cells and Biofilms of Diverse Staphylococci
Most staphylococcal species are major causes of health care- and community-associated infections. In particular, Staphylococcus aureus is a common and dangerous pathogen, and Staphylococcus epidermidis is a ubiquitous skin commensal and opportunistic pathogen. Treatment of infections caused by...
- Environmental MicrobiologyEffects of PslG on the Surface Movement of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Public and Environmental Health Microbiology | SpotlightImpact of Currently Marketed Tampons and Menstrual Cups on Staphylococcus aureus Growth and Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1 Production In Vitro