Higher Prevalence and Abundance of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus in the Human Gut of Healthy Subjects

Abstract

IntroductionMembers of the human intestinal microbiota are key players in maintaining human health. Alterations in the composition of gut microbial community (dysbiosis) have been linked with important human diseases. Understanding the underlying processes that control community structure, including the bacterial interactions within the microbiota itself, is essential. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a gram-negative bacterium that preys other gram-negative species for survival, acting as a population-balancer. It was found in terrestrial/aquatic ecosystems, and in animal intestines, postulating its presence also in the human gut.MethodsThe present study was aimed to evaluate, by end-point PCR and qPCR, the presence of B. bacteriovorus in intestinal and faecal biopsy specimens from 92 paediatric healthy subjects and patients, suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), Celiac disease and Cystic fibrosis (CF).Resultsi) B. bacteriovorus was present and abundant only in healthy individuals, while it was heavily reduced in patients, as in the case of IBD and Celiac, while in CF patients and relative controls we observed comparable results; ii) B. bacteriovorus seemed to be mucosa-associated, because all IBD and Celiac biopsies (and related controls) were treated with mucus-removing agents, leaving only the mucosa-attached microflora; iii) B. bacteriovorus abundance was district-dependent, with a major preponderance in duodenum, and gradually decreasing up to rectum; iv) B. bacteriovorus levels significantly dropped in disease status, in duodenum and ileum.ConclusionsResults obtained in this study could represent the first step for new therapeutic strategies aimed to restore a balance in the intestinal ecosystem, utilizing Bdellovibrio as a probiotic.

Bdellovibrio and Like Organisms Enhanced Growth and Survival of Penaeus monodon and Altered Bacterial Community Structures in Its Rearing Water

“…In this test, 20 marine bacteria which were susceptible to BDHSH06 (21) 33) were used to establish marine microcosms. The strains were identified by both analysis with an API 20E system and 16S rRNA gene sequencing (24).…”

Predation Efficacy of <i>Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus</i> on Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Pathogens and Their Corresponding Biofilms

“…Then, it occupies the periplasmic space and undergoes growth phase which culminates in prey killing and release of progeny (4). B. bacteriovorus is ubiquitous both in aquatic and terrestrial habitats and has recently been discovered in the human gut, where it is alleged to act as a "probiotic" (5,6). Previous research has demonstrated that B. bacteriovorus has the potential to prey upon several human pathogens which grow in planktonic cultures or in biofilm (7).…”

Visualizing Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus by Using the tdTomato Fluorescent Protein

“…Double-layered agar plating and PFU enumeration are widely used to detect and quantify predator biomass and to investigate predator host specificity (6). Additional methods utilize PCR and real-time quantitative PCR to determine the presence and bioload of predatory bacteria (9)(10)(11). Labeled oligonucleotide probes that target Bdellovibrio 16S rRNA were also used to visualize the predator by use of in situ fluorescence hybridization (12).…”