Ability of
            <i>Candida albicans</i>
            Mutants To Induce
            <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>
            Vancomycin Resistance during Polymicrobial Biofilm Formation

Harriott, Melphine; Noverr, Mairi C.

doi:10.1128/aac.00573-10

Cited by 150 publications

(120 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

116

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…S1). This noted ability of serum to mediate non-specific co-adherence and/ or enhance St. aureus growth may explain the discrepancies between our results and those from previous studies, in which, in the presence of serum, St. aureus associated equally well when grown with the Dals3 mutant strain (Harriott & Noverr, 2010).…”

Section: Effects Of Serum On Polymicrobial Growthcontrasting

confidence: 99%

Staphylococcus aureus adherence to Candida albicans hyphae is mediated by the hyphal adhesin Als3p

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The bacterium Staphylococcus (St.) aureus and the opportunistic fungus Candida albicans are currently among the leading nosocomial pathogens, often co-infecting critically ill patients, with high morbidity and mortality. Previous investigations have demonstrated preferential adherence of St. aureus to C. albicans hyphae during mixed biofilm growth. In this study, we aimed to characterize the mechanism behind this observed interaction. C. albicans adhesin-deficient mutant strains were screened by microscopy to identify the specific receptor on C. albicans hyphae recognized by St. aureus. Furthermore, an immunoassay was developed to validate and quantify staphylococcal binding to fungal biofilms. The findings from these experiments implicated the C. albicans adhesin agglutinin-like sequence 3 (Als3p) in playing a major role in the adherence process. This association was quantitatively established using atomic force microscopy, in which the adhesion force between single cells of the two species was significantly reduced for a C. albicans mutant strain lacking als3. Confocal microscopy further confirmed these observations, as St. aureus overlaid with a purified recombinant Als3 N-terminal domain fragment (rAls3p) exhibited robust binding. Importantly, a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae heterologously expressing Als3p was utilized to further confirm this adhesin as a receptor for St. aureus. Although the parental strain does not bind bacteria, expression of Als3p on the cell surface conferred upon the yeast the ability to strongly bind St. aureus. To elucidate the implications of these in vitro findings in a clinically relevant setting, an ex vivo murine model of co-infection was designed using murine tongue explants. Fluorescent microscopic images revealed extensive hyphal penetration of the epithelium typical of C. albicans mucosal infection. Interestingly, St. aureus bacterial cells were only seen within the Abbreviations: AFM, atomic force microscopy; CLSM, confocal laser scanning microscopy; ConA-Texas red, concanavalin A conjugated to Texas red; H&E, haematoxylin and eosin; IFA, indirect immunofluorescence; PNA-FISH, peptide nucleic acid probes for fluorescent in situ hybridization; SEM, scanning electron microscopy. A supplementary figure is available with the online version of this paper. Microbiology

show abstract

Section: Effects Of Serum On Polymicrobial Growthcontrasting

confidence: 99%

Staphylococcus aureus adherence to Candida albicans hyphae is mediated by the hyphal adhesin Als3p

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, Candida albicans and Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus are frequently found dwelling together on medical devices such as endotracheal tubes and urinary catheters, and Aspergillus fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can coinfect the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients [48][49][50]. However, developing polymicrobial biofilms with fungi and bacteria can present unique challenges.…”

Section: Notable Polymicrobial Studies In Static Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, the co-culture of A. fumigatus and P. aeruginosa initially killed A. fumigatus, but Manavathu et al were able to prevent this, and form stable polymicrobial biofilms, by co-inoculating with varying densities of P. aeruginosa and staggering the inoculation of P. aeruginosa into a pre-established A. fumigatus biofilm [48]. Likewise, successful co-culturing of C. albicans with E. coli or S. aureus in a compatible nutrient medium and selecting the most synergistic strains were also solutions to avoiding unwanted antagonism [49,50]. …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biofilm Models of Polymicrobial Infection

2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Interactions between microbes are complex and play an important role in the pathogenesis of infections. These interactions can range from fierce competition for nutrients and niches to highly evolved cooperative mechanisms between different species that support their mutual growth. An increasing appreciation for these interactions, and desire to uncover the mechanisms that govern them, has resulted in a shift from monomicrobial to polymicrobial biofilm studies in different disease models. Here we provide an overview of biofilm models used to study select polymicrobial infections and highlight the impact that the interactions between microbes within these biofilms have on disease progression. Notable recent advances in the development of polymicrobial biofilm-associated infection models and challenges facing the study of polymicrobial biofilms are addressed. Polymicrobial interactions in biofilmsOver the past 2 decades there has been a revolutionary paradigm shift in the field of microbiology with the appreciation that bacteria present in most biological systems exist in biofilms, rather than in a free-living state. This understanding has dramatically changed the way we study bacteria in the laboratory and resulted in the development of many new experimental systems that replicate biofilm environments [1][2][3][4][5]. Studies utilizing these systems have demonstrated time and time again that bacteria behave very differently when in a biofilm than during planktonic growth. In many ways, we now have to relearn everything we thought we knew about bacterial behavior through the view of the biofilm lens.Similarly, the recent explosion of metagenomic studies has significantly increased our appreciation of the complexity of the microbial populations present in biofilms [6,7]. This is also true for infections, most of which are thought to be biofilm related and inherently polymicrobial, including various species of bacteria, fungi and viruses [8]. It is thought that microbes act in concert to establish biofilms, which in turn can increase tolerance to antimicrobials, exacerbate of the host's immune response and increase persistence at the infection site [7,[9][10][11].Genetic diversity of microbes within biofilm communities is thought to increase the fitness of the residing community, making them more equipped to survive environmental stresses. In large part, this is due to an expanded gene pool, which can be more easily shared within the confines of a biofilm community [12]. Community composition and interactions within the community can have huge influences on bacterial behavior. Thus, just as the behavior of planktonic versus biofilm-associated bacteria is dramatically different, so is that of bacteria in single species versus multispecies systems.Interactions between microbes are complex and highly dependent on context. They can range from fierce competition for nutrients and niches, manifested by antagonistic behavior, to highly evolved cooperative mechanisms between different species that support their mutual grow...

show abstract

“…Interactions in multi-species biofilms can promote resistance to antimicrobial agents. Harriott et al reported that C. albicans induces S. aureus vancomycin resistance during multi-species biofilm formation [51]. In another study, Adam et al showed that in multi-species biofilms of C. albicans and S. epidermidis, extracellular polymer produced by S. epidermidis can inhibit penetration of antifungal drug fluconazole while C. albicans can protect the slime-negative S. epidermidis against vancomycin [52].…”

Section: Interactions In Multi-species Biofilmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current understanding of multi‐species biofilms

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Direct observation of a wide range of natural microorganisms has revealed the fact that the majority of microbes persist as surface-attached communities surrounded by matrix materials, called biofilms. Biofilms can be formed by a single bacterial strain. However, most natural biofilms are actually formed by multiple bacterial species. Conventional methods for bacterial cleaning, such as applications of antibiotics and/or disinfectants are often ineffective for biofilm populations due to their special physiology and physical matrix barrier. It has been estimated that billions of dollars are spent every year worldwide to deal with damage to equipment, contaminations of products, energy losses, and infections in human beings resulted from microbial biofilms. Microorganisms compete, cooperate, and communicate with each other in multi-species biofilms. Understanding the mechanisms of multi-species biofilm formation will facilitate the development of methods for combating bacterial biofilms in clinical, environmental, industrial, and agricultural areas. The most recent advances in the understanding of multi-species biofilms are summarized and discussed in the review.

show abstract

Ability of Candida albicans Mutants To Induce Staphylococcus aureus Vancomycin Resistance during Polymicrobial Biofilm Formation

Cited by 150 publications

References 37 publications

Staphylococcus aureus adherence to Candida albicans hyphae is mediated by the hyphal adhesin Als3p

Staphylococcus aureus adherence to Candida albicans hyphae is mediated by the hyphal adhesin Als3p

Biofilm Models of Polymicrobial Infection

Current understanding of multi‐species biofilms

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About