biofilms
- Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyLong-Term Survival of Virulent Tularemia Pathogens outside a Host in Conditions That Mimic Natural Aquatic Environments
Tularemia, a disease caused by the environmental bacterium Francisella tularensis, is characterized by acute febrile illness. F. tularensis is highly infectious: as few as 10 organisms can cause human disease. Tularemia is not known to be spread from person to person.
- Methods | SpotlightIn Vivo Colonization with Candidate Oral Probiotics Attenuates Streptococcus mutans Colonization and Virulence...
Our results demonstrate that in vivo testing of potential oral probiotics can be accomplished and can yield information to facilitate the ultimate design and optimization of novel anticaries probiotics. We show that human oral commensals associated with dental health are an important source of potential probiotics that may be used to colonize patients under dietary conditions of highly various cariogenicity.
- MinireviewCryptosporidium-Biofilm Interactions: a Review
Biofilms are increasingly implicated as playing a major role in waterborne cryptosporidiosis. This review aims to synthesize all currently available data on interactions between Cryptosporidium oocysts and biofilms.
- Editor's Pick Biodegradation | SpotlightSevere Corrosion of Carbon Steel in Oil Field Produced Water Can Be Linked to Methanogenic Archaea Containing a Special Type of [NiFe] Hydrogenase
Microorganisms can deteriorate built environments, which is particularly problematic in the case of pipelines transporting hydrocarbons to industrial end users. MIC is notoriously difficult to detect and monitor and, as a consequence, is a particularly difficult corrosion mechanism to manage.
- Genetics and Molecular BiologyPhenotypic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Seven Clinical Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Isolates Identify a Small Set of Shared and Commonly Regulated Genes Involved in the Biofilm Lifestyle
Microorganisms living in a biofilm are much more tolerant to antibiotics and antimicrobial substances than planktonic cells are. Thus, the treatment of infections caused by microorganisms living in biofilms is extremely difficult. Nosocomial infections (among others) caused by S. maltophilia, particularly lung infection among CF patients, have increased in prevalence...
- Environmental MicrobiologyBiofilm Sampling for Detection of Cryptosporidium Oocysts in a Southeastern Pennsylvania Watershed
Monitoring Cryptosporidium occurrence in watersheds that provide drinking water is necessary to determine where limited resources should most effectively be directed to protect consumers from waterborne exposure to pathogenic oocysts. Biofilms are a useful tool to monitor complex watersheds and identify point sources of Cryptosporidium oocyst contamination that need to be managed to protect public health. Compared to...
- PhysiologyCompetence-Stimulating-Peptide-Dependent Localized Cell Death and Extracellular DNA Production in Streptococcus mutans Biofilms
Bacterial communities encased by self-produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), known as biofilms, have a wide influence on human health and environmental problems. The importance of biofilm research has increased, as biofilms are the preferred bacterial lifestyle in nature. Furthermore, in recent years it has been noted that the contribution of phenotypic heterogeneity within biofilms requires analysis at the single-cell or...
- Physiology | SpotlightMultiple Drug-Induced Stress Responses Inhibit Formation of Escherichia coli Biofilms
The prevention of bacterial biofilm formation is one of the major current challenges in microbiology. Here, by systematically screening a large number of approved drugs for their ability to suppress biofilm formation by Escherichia coli, we identified a number of prospective antibiofilm compounds. We further demonstrated different mechanisms of action for individual...
- Environmental MicrobiologyGenetic and Phenotypic Factors Associated with Persistent Shedding of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli by Beef Cattle
Food animal reservoirs contribute to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) evolution via the acquisition of horizontally acquired elements like Shiga toxin bacteriophages that enhance pathogenicity. In cattle, persistent fecal shedding of STEC contributes to contamination of beef and dairy products and to crops being exposed to contaminated water systems....
- PhysiologyDifferential Effects of Heated Perfusate on Morphology, Viability, and Dissemination of Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilms
Bacterial biofilms are a leading cause of medical device infections. Staphylococcus epidermidis is commonly responsible for these types of infections. With increasing occurrences of antibacterial resistance, there has been a new push to explore treatment options that augment traditional antibiotic therapies. Here, we show how thermal treatment can be applied to both...