铜绿假单胞菌噬菌体的分离鉴定及其控制生物被膜的应用研究

目的 分离鉴定铜绿假单胞菌烈性噬菌体,研究噬菌体控制宿主菌形成牛物被膜的效率.方法 以铜绿假单胞菌临床菌株为指示菌,从不同环境样品中分离噬菌体;采用限制性内切酶图谱分析和宿主范围测定方法,对分离的噬菌体进行分类;利用透射电子显微镜对分离噬菌体进行形态学研究;以TJC729为指示菌,开展噬菌体控制牛物被膜形成的应用研究.结果 分别以14株铜绿假单胞菌临床分离菌株为指示菌,共分离得到13株烈性噬菌体,命名为C1～C13.利用限制性内切酶EcoR Ⅰ分析结果表明,13株噬菌体基因组均为双链DNA,并可被分成8组;宿主谱测定结果显示,c1和C13、C6和C7、C9和C11分别具有相同的宿主范围,其余7株噬菌体的宿主范围各不相同.随机挑选噬菌体C1进行形态学研究,发现噬菌体C1头部具有二十面体结构,尾部较长且无收缩性尾鞘,属于长尾噬菌体科.生物被膜控制实验结果显示,混合噬菌体能够较好地抑制TJC729生物被膜的形成.进一步实验结果显示,噬菌体C1、C10和C12分别与牛物被膜混合培养24 h后,牛物被膜的量分别下降到初始量的32.7%、57.6%、32.8%.结论 分离了13株铜绿假单胞菌烈性噬菌体,它们能够显著抑制宿主菌生物被膜的形成,并对生物被膜造成一定程度的破坏,为控制铜绿假单胞菌引起的感染提供了一个新方法.

Abstract：

Objective To isolate and classigy the bacteriophages specific to Pseudomonas aetuginosa and to investigate biofilm control efficaey of the isolated virulent phages.Methods With P. aeruginosa clinical strains as indicators.bacteriophages were isolated by screening difierent environmental samples.Classification of the isolated phages was done with the methods of restriction fragment analysis of phage genome and host range analysis.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was used in phage morphology study.In biogilm control tests,TJC729 was used as the jndicator strain to study the biofilm control efficacy of the isolated phages.Results Total 13 lytic phages specific to P.aeruginosa strains were isolated and named as C1-C13.According to the result of restriction fragment analysis.all 13 phages were double-stranded DNA viruses and could be divided into eight groups.Host range experiments were conducted with 5 laboratory strains and 12 clinical strains of P. aeruginosa.The same infection profiles were observed among phage C1 and C13,C6 and C7,and C9 and C11,respectively.While the remaining 7 phages each had different unique infection profile.Phage C1 was selected randomly to study its morphology.The obtained images showed that phage C1 had an icosahedral head with a non-contractile tail,belonging to the Siphoviridae family.Compared with the single phage,phage cocktail had the best effect on biofilm control.Further experiment results showed that phage C1.C10 and C12 can destroy biofilm after treatment of the biofilm for 24 h.The biofilm amounts were deceased to 32.7%,57.6%and 32.8%of the initial values,respectively.Conclusion Thirteen virulent phages specific to P. aeruginosa had been isolated.The phages could significantly inhibit the biofilm formation and had a certain degree of damage on the biofilm.The results suggested an alternative method for the treatments of P.aeruginosa infections.     

A new statistical method for quantitative analyses: application to the precise quantification of T cell receptor repertoires

In experimental immunology, a situation quite commonly arises in which there are a large number of potential events but the probability of any individual event is small and one wishes to measure the number of events which actually occur. We present a new general statistical method, denoted Continuous Poisson Method (COPOM), for estimating the number of events underlying a quantitative measurement. This situation is well illustrated in the case of quantitative analyses of the immune receptor repertoire in a diverse population of cells. We show that repetition of T cell receptors (TCRs) complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) length measurements by Immunoscope, on independent samples containing the similar numbers of cells prepared from splenocytes, results in variable profiles. When analyzed by COPOM, this variability provides direct quantification of the lymphocytes expressing any antigen receptor with a given V, J and CDR3 length inside the cell population. Using COPOM, a single dilution was sufficient to cover events over a 100-fold variation in frequency and the sensitivity of the assay was such that a single cell inside a pool of 5 x 10(4) lymphocytes could be quantified. A comparison of the frequency of splenocytes using either Vbeta14-Jbeta or the specific Vbeta8.3-Jbeta1.1 rearrangement, determined either by our or other approaches, revealed the accuracy and convenience of our method. This approach provides the first precise method able to measure the diversity of the antigen receptor repertoire inside a complex cell population by the use of a single straightforward technique.     

Isolation of bacteriophages and their application to control Pseudomonas aeruginosa in planktonic and biofilm models

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently identified as a cause of diverse infections and chronic diseases. It forms biofilms and has natural resistance to several antibiotics. Strains of this pathogen resistant to new-generation beta-lactams have emerged. Due to the difficulties associated with treating chronic P. aeruginosa infections, bacteriophages are amongst the alternative therapeutic options being actively researched. Two obligatorily lytic P. aeruginosa phages, vB_PaeM_MAG1 (MAG1) and vB_PaeP_MAG4 (MAG4), have been isolated and characterized. These phages belong to the PAK_P1likevirus genus of the Myoviridae family and the LIT1virus genus of the Podoviridae family, respectively. They adsorb quickly to their hosts (∼90% in 5 min), have a short latent period (15 min), and are stable during storage. Each individual phage propagated in approximately 50% of P. aeruginosa strains tested, which increased to 72.9% when phages were combined into a cocktail. While MAG4 reduced biofilm more effectively after a short time of treatment, MAG1 was more effective after a longer time and selected less for phage-resistant clones. A MAG1-encoded homolog of YefM antitoxin of the bacterial toxin-antitoxin system may contribute to the superiority of MAG1 over MAG4.     

Diversity in exon 5 of HLA-C104:01:01G is significant in anthropological studies

Polymorphisms in Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I genes are generally considered to be relevant only if they reside in exons 2 and 3 or if they affect the expression of the allele. HLA-C¹04:82 differs from the common HLA-C¹04:01:01 by having a 9 nucleotide, or 3 amino acid duplication, in exon 5. Having observed HLA-C¹04:82 in a New Zealand Maori stem cell patient, we have attempted to examine the prevalence of this allele in different ethnicities. Although our studies are in a limited number of patients and donors, they have revealed that, in the Pacific region, HLA-C¹04:82 appears to be the most common allele of the HLA-C¹04:01:01G group of alleles, notably in Filippinos and in Maori/Polynesians. In these populations this allele has characteristic HLA-ABCDRB1 haplotypes. Thus, our studies have shown that polymorphisms outside of the clinically important exons can be considered to be relevant in anthropological studies.     

Toward potent antibiofilm degradable medical devices: A generic method for the antibacterial surface modification of polylactide

The effects of biomaterials on their environment must be carefully modulated in most biomedical applications. Among other approaches, this modulation can be obtained through the modification of the biomaterial surface. This paper proposes a simple and versatile strategy to produce non-leaching antibacterial polylactide (PLA) surfaces without any degradation of the polyester chains. The method is based on a one-pot procedure that provides a “clickable” PLA surface via anionic activation which is then functionalized with an antibacterial quaternized poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (QPDMAEMA) by covalent immobilization on the surface. The anti-adherence and antibiofilm activities of modified PLA surfaces are assessed for different QPDMAEMA molecular weights and different quaternization agents. Antibacterial PLA surfaces are shown to be very active against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains, with adherence reduction factors superior to 99.999% and a marked reduction in biofilm on the most potent surfaces. In addition to this substantial antibacterial activity, the proposed PLA surfaces are also cytocompatible, as demonstrated through the proliferation of L929 fibroblasts.     

Methicillin-resistant food-related Staphylococcus aureus: a review of current knowledge and biofilm formation for future studies and applications

There is increasing concern about the public health impact of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Food and animal are vectors of transmission, but the contribution of a contaminated environment is not well characterized. With regard to this, staphylococcal biofilms serve as a virulence factor, allowing MRSA strains to adhere to surfaces and other materials used in the food industry.Methicillin resistance and biofilm-forming capacity may contribute to the success of S. aureus as a human pathogen in both health care and community settings and the food production chain. This review summarizes current knowledge about the significance of food- and animal-derived MRSA strains and provides data on attachment and biofilm formation of MRSA. In addition, the impact of quorum sensing on MRSA gene expression and biofilm formation is examined.     

Biofilm development and computational screening for new putative inhibitors of a homolog of the regulatory protein BrpA in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (SDSD), a Lancefield group C streptococci (GCS), is a frequent cause of bovine mastitis. This highly prevalent disease is the costliest in dairy industry. Adherence and biofilm production are important factors in streptoccocal pathogenesis. We have previously described the adhesion and internalization of SDSD isolates in human cells and now we describe the biofilm production capability of this bacterium. In this work we integrated microbiology, imaging and computational methods to evaluate the biofilm production capability of SDSD isolates; to assess the presence of biofilm regulatory protein BrpA homolog in the biofilm producers; and to predict a structural model of BrpA-like protein and its binding to putative inhibitors. Our results show that SDSD isolates form biofilms on abiotic surface such as glass (hydrophilic) and polystyrene (hydrophobic), with the strongest biofilm formation observed in glass. This ability was mainly associated with a proteinaceous extracellular matrix, confirmed by the dispersion of the biofilms after proteinase K and trypsin treatment. The biofilm formation in SDSD isolates was also confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Under SEM observation, VSD16 isolate formed cell aggregates during biofilm growth while VSD9 and VSD10 formed smooth and filmy layers. We show that brpA-like gene is present and expressed in SDSD biofilm-producing isolates and its expression levels correlated with the biofilm production capability, being more expressed in the late exponential phase of planktonic growth compared to biofilm growth. Fisetin, a known biofilm inhibitor and a putative BrpA binding molecule, dramatically inhibited biofilm formation by the SDSD isolates but did not affect planktonic growth, at the tested concentrations. Homology modeling was used to predict the 3D structure of BrpA-like protein. Using high throughput virtual screening and molecular docking, we selected five ligand molecules with strong binding affinity to the hydrophobic cleft of the protein, making them potential inhibitor candidates of the SDSD BrpA-like protein. These results warrant further investigations for developing novel strategies for SDSD anti-biofilm therapy.     

Novel application of a whole blood intracellular cytokine detection assay to quantitate specific T-cell frequency in field studies

We optimized a whole blood intracellular cytokine assay to quantitate the frequency of specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in small volumes of whole blood from infants from developing countries. The assay is performed in two steps. First, whole blood is stimulated in the presence of specific antigens for 6-18 h, ending with cryopreservation of fixed white cells. These stimulation steps were specifically adapted to be practical and reliable in a rural, developing country field setting. Later, in a more resourceful setting, interferon-gamma producing CD4+ or CD8+ T cells are detected by flow cytometry. The assay proved sensitive and specific for detecting mycobacteria-specific immunity 10 weeks after Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination of newborns from a rural field site.     

Mapping bacterial biofilms on recovered orthopaedic implants by a novel agar candle dip method

While the detrimental effects of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are well known, the process of biofilm formation on orthopaedic hardware is unclear. Previous work has shown that encasement of explant hardware in agar can aid in identifying biofilms. This study tested the utility of agar ‘candle dip’ method in detecting and mapping the location of biofilm on infected orthopedic components. Explant components from 15 patients were rinsed, briefly submerged in agar to create a surface coating, and incubated. Larger components were coated by pipetting agar over them. After incubation, colony outgrowth on the component surface was documented (candle dip status). Data were compared with clinical laboratory results (clinical culture status) and the PJI diagnosis using Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria (MSIS status). All six patients classified as MSIS and clinical culture positive were also positive with the candle dip technique. Of the nine candle dip negative cases, four were positive and five were negative for both MSIS and clinical culture status. Candle dip may be negative in few cases due to the residual antibiotic eluting from the spacers, limiting the growth of bacterial biofilms on the components. The candle dip method shows promise for biofilm mapping but requires additional testing to evaluate the clinical diagnostic potential.     

Mig-14 may contribute to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi resistance to polymyxin B by decreasing the permeability of the outer-membrane and promoting the formation of biofilm

Mig-14 is essential for Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) resistance to antimicrobial peptides, including polymyxin B (PB). However, the molecular mechanism is as yet unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that mig-14 also played a crucial role in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) resistance to PB. A series of genes associated with drug-resistance controlled by Mig-14 were identified in the presence of PB. Among which, ompF and ompC were up-regulated 8 and 6 folds in mig-14 mutant (Δmig-14) strains, respectively. Further, the deletion of ompF or/and ompC in Δmig-14 strains decreased their sensitivity to PB. Besides, the biofilm formation ability was reduced in Δmig-14 strains. Our results indicate that Mig-14 may contribute to PB resistance in S. Typhi by decreasing the permeability of the outer membrane and promoting biofilm formation.     

Influence of the incubation atmosphere on the production of biofilm by staphylococci

Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis , Staphylococcus hemolyticus , Staphylococcus sciuri and Staphylococcus aureus in aerobic, anaerobic and CO₂ incubation atmospheres was quantified by the modified microtiter plate test. The S. epidermidis and S. aureus strains showed significantly lower biofilm production when grown in a CO₂-rich environment compared to that exhibited in aerobic incubation. The amount of biofilm produced by these strains under anaerobic conditions did not differ significantly from the biofilm formation detected in the aerobic incubation. The incubation atmosphere did not affect S. sciuri biofilm formation. Biofilm production by S. hemolyticus isolates was very low regardless of the experimental conditions used.     

The role of pgaC in Klebsiella pneumoniae virulence and biofilm formation

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as one of the major pathogens for community-acquired and nosocomial infections. A four-gene locus that had a high degree similarity with Escherichia coli pgaABCD and Yersinia pestis hmsHFRS was identified in K. pneumoniae genomes. The pgaABCD in E. coli encodes the envelope-spanning Pga machinery for the synthesis and secretion of poly-β-linked N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG). In a limited number of phylogenetically diverse bacteria, PNAG was demonstrated to mediate biofilm formation and had a role in the host-bacteria interactions. The presence of conserved pgaABCD locus among various K. pneumoniae strains suggested a putative requirement of PNAG for this bacterium. Results: In this study, an in-frame deletion of pgaC was generated in K. pneumoniae CG43 and named ΔpgaC. The loss of pgaC affected the production of PNAG and attenuated the enhancement of in vitro biofilm formation upon the addition of bile salts mixture. In mouse models, ΔpgaC exhibited a weakened ability to colonize the intestine, to disseminate extraintestinally, and to induce a systemic infection when compared to K. pneumoniae CG43. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that pgaC participated in the bile salts induced biofilm formation and was required for K. pneumoniae virulence in vivo.     

解脲脲原体生物膜胞外多糖的检测

目的 研究解脲脲原体(Ureaplasma urealyticum,Uu)4个型别标准株在体外形成的生物膜之胞外多糖的分布及结构成分.方法 将Uu标准株Parvo群中4、8血清型和T960群中3、14血清型进行体外生物膜培养后,扫描电镜下观察生物膜组成及结构,并在FITC-ConA/PI及ECA/PI双荧光染色后进行激光共聚焦显微镜观察及测定平均荧光强度.秩和检验及t检验分别比较两种荧光标记物、两生物群的总体平均荧光强度的差异.结果 4个型别Uu标准株均可在体外形成生物膜,生物膜结构主要呈网格状,胞外物质占大部分比例.在激光共聚焦显微镜下,Uu生物膜胞外多糖均可被FITC-ConA和ECA染色,FTTC-ConA呈网格状分布,ECA小片状聚集分布.FITC-ConA的总体平均荧光强度较ECA高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001).结论 Uu体外培养生物膜主要呈网格状结构,胞外多糖中含有葡萄糖、甘露糖、半乳糖、N-乙酰葡聚糖残基,并以葡萄糖、甘露糖残基为主.     

超声成像技术在解剖学实验教学中的新应用

正人体解剖学是各专业、各层次医学生所接触的第一门基础医学课程,第四军医大学在解剖学实验教学一直坚持采用以学生为中心的5R式教学模式~([1]),同时辅助以PBL(problem based learning)教学形式,取得了较好的教学效果,在2012年全校毕业学生无记名投票中,以第一名的成绩被学生评选为"最受欢迎的课程"。但是,我们清醒地认识到,人体解剖学课程的实施对象是大学一年级学生,而他们的医学知识尚是空白,因此,如何     

Cinnamaldehyde induces changes in the protein profile of Salmonella Typhimurium biofilm

The effect of cinnamaldehyde against biofilm cells of Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 was evaluated. We also assessed differential protein patterns that were expressed by biofilms compared with planktonic cells and protein expression by cinnamaldehyde-treated biofilms cells. This compound decreased biofilm biomass and metabolic activity of biofilms at both concentrations tested. Cinnamaldehyde treatment reduced the number of attached cells in polypropylene, reflected by colony count and scanning electron microscopy. The proteomic analysis of biofilms compared with planktonic cells indicated that several proteins were upregulated or downregulated, especially proteins that are involved in energy metabolism. Peroxiredoxin, ATP synthase alpha chain protein, conjugal transfer nickase/helicase TraI and elongation factor G were upregulated in untreated-biofilm cells, and their expression decreased as a function of cinnamaldehyde treatment. Cinnamaldehyde had antibiofilm activity, and several differentially expressed proteins identified provide potential and interesting targets to explore new control strategies for S. Typhimurium biofilms.     

A new anti-infective strategy to reduce the spreading of antibiotic resistance by the action on adhesion-mediated virulence factors in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a flexible microbial pathogen frequently isolated from community-acquired and nosocomial infections. S. aureus expresses a wide array of secreted and cell surface-associated virulence factors, including proteins that promote adhesion to damaged tissue and to the surface of host cells, and that bind proteins in blood to help evade immune responses. Furthermore, surface proteins have a fundamental role in virulence related properties of S. aureus, including biofilm formation. The present study evaluates the anti-infective capabilities of a secreted protein of Serratia marcescens (serratiopeptidase, SPEP), in impairing some staphylococcal virulence-related properties, such as attachment to inert surfaces and adhesion/invasion on eukaryotic cells. SPEP seems to exert its action by modulating specific proteins. It is not assessed if this action is due to the proteolytic activity of SPEP or to a specific mechanism which triggers an out/inside signal. Proteomic studies performed on surface proteins extracted from SPEP treated S. aureus cultures revealed that a number of proteins are affected by the treatment. Among these we found the adhesin/autolysin Atl, SdrD, Sbi, EF-Tu and EF-G. EF-Tu and EF-G are known to perform a variety of function, depending on their cytoplasmic or surface localization. All these factors can facilitate bacterial colonization, persistence and invasion of host tissues. Our results suggest that SPEP could be developed as a potential “anti-infective agent” capable to hinder the entry of S. aureus into human tissues, and also impairs the ability of this pathogen to adhere to prostheses, catheters and medical devices.