Effect of chitosan nanoparticles on the inhibition of Candida spp. biofilm on denture base surface

ObjectivesChitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) have antifungal effects, however there is a lack of information about the effects of ChNPs against Candida biofilm on denture base surface. This study investigated the ChNPs effect against C. albicans biofilm adhesion and formation, and against Candida spp. biofilm on heat-cured acrylic resin.DesignThe ChNPs were synthetized (3800 μg/mL) and characterized by infra-red spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy. The minimum inhibitory/fungicidal concentrations (MIC/MFC) against Candida spp. were determined. The time-kill assay and changes on C. albicans micromorphology were evaluated. The % inhibition of ChNPs on C. albicans biofilm formation and reduction were investigated using 1 min and 8 h exposure. Candida biofilm was developed on resin surfaces and ChNPs were applied every 8 h for 5 days. After, fungal cells were counted (CFU/mL) and the surface roughness (Ra) and vickers microhardness (HV) of resin were analysed. For all experiments, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was used as control. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Tukey and paired t-tests (α = 0.05).ResultsThe MIC_80% of ChNPs was 30.1 μg/mL. ChNPs at 4 MIC showed complete inhibition in the time-kill assays. Blastoconidia cells were predominant after ChNPs application. The % inhibition ChNPs on C. albicans was proportional to its concentration, regardless of the exposure time. ChNPs decreased the CFU/mL of Candida spp. and showed lower alteration of HV and Ra values of resin surface compared to NaOCl.ConclusionsThe ChNPs inhibited C. albicans biofilm, reduced Candida biofilm on resin and caused small changes in roughness and hardness of acrylic resin surface.     

Atmospheric pressure plasmas: Infection control and bacterial responses

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) is a recent, cutting-edge antimicrobial treatment. It has the potential to be used as an alternative to traditional treatments such as antibiotics and as a promoter of wound healing, making it a promising tool in a range of biomedical applications with particular importance for combating infections. A number of studies show very promising results for APP-mediated killing of bacteria, including removal of biofilms of pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the mode of action of APP and the resulting bacterial response are not fully understood. Use of a variety of different plasma-generating devices, different types of plasma gases and different treatment modes makes it challenging to show reproducibility and transferability of results. This review considers some important studies in which APP was used as an antibacterial agent, and specifically those that elucidate its mode of action, with the aim of identifying common bacterial responses to APP exposure. The review has a particular emphasis on mechanisms of interactions of bacterial biofilms with APP.     

激光共聚焦显微镜观察阴道来源乳杆菌生物膜的形成

目的:采用激光共聚焦显微镜技术动态观察一株女性阴道来源卷曲乳杆菌生物膜的形成过程. 方法:使用体外盖玻片生物膜培养法,培养阴道来源卷曲乳杆菌的生物膜,在培养2、4、8、12、16、20、24、48、72、96、120 h后取出盖玻片,用异硫氰酸荧光素标记的刀豆蛋白A( fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugatedconcanavalin A,FITC-conA)和碘化丙啶( andpropidium,PI)双重免疫荧光染色,激光共聚焦显微镜( confocal laser scanning microscopy, CLSM)观察卷曲乳杆菌生物膜形成过程与特点. 结果:获得生物膜形成过程不同时间点的CLSM图像,观察到卷曲乳杆菌在4 h即开始有散在的细菌黏附于盖玻片上,为可逆吸附期;8~20 h细菌黏附量逐渐增加,进入不可逆吸附期,20 h细菌聚集成团,生物膜初步形成;24~48 h形成大片的生物膜菌落,细菌镶嵌在大量多糖基质中,结构紧密,形态稳定,生物膜成熟;72 h后生物膜菌落开始解聚. 培养20 h乳杆菌生物膜密度为42. 7 × 10 -3 ± 6. 83 × 10 -3 ,24 h上升为102.5 ×10 -3 ±23.14 ×10 -3,两者相比差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),表明培养24 h乳杆菌生物膜形成. 结论:该株阴道来源卷曲乳杆菌在体外可形成生物膜,24 h可形成成熟的生物膜,72 h生物膜开始解聚再定植.     

Recovery of Oral In Vitro Biofilms after Exposure to Peptides and Chlorhexidine

IntroductionThis study aimed to examine the dynamic recovery of established multispecies biofilms of oral bacteria after an initial treatment by D-enantiomeric peptide DJK-5, L-enantiomeric peptide 1018, or chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX).MethodsOral biofilms from 2 donors were grown on collagen-coated hydroxyapatite disks for 3 weeks and exposed to DJK-5, 1018, and 2% CHX for 3 minutes. Immediately after treatment and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 12 weeks after exposure, the biofilm volume and the volume ratio of dead and live bacteria in biofilms were assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy using a live/dead viability stain. Results were examined by 1-way analysis of variance and post hoc multiple comparisons to determine significance at a P < .05 significance level.ResultsDJK-5 killed almost 80% of biofilms in 3 minutes and maintained this high level of dead bacteria for 1 week. The proportion of viable bacteria in DJK-5–treated biofilms returned to the pretreatment level after 12 weeks. The biovolume of DJK-5–treated biofilm remained significantly lower than that of biofilms after CHX and no treatment throughout the 12-week follow-up period (P < .001). The proportion of dead bacteria was higher in biofilms exposed to DJK-5 than with 1018 or CHX for 8 weeks after the exposure (P < .001). The proportion of dead bacteria almost doubled to 46%–52% during the first 7 days after the 3-minute exposure to CHX and peptide 1018. The timeline of biofilm recovery was slow but similar after exposure to CHX and the 2 peptides.Conclusionsecovery time after exposure to DJK-5 was longer than that after exposure to 1018 and CHX. Peptide 1018 showed a delayed, continued antibacterial effect similar to that of 2% CHX against the biofilm microbes.     

不同根管冲洗液和冲洗方法对粪肠球菌清除作用的体外研究

目的 比较不同冲洗液和冲洗方法对根管内粪肠球菌的清除效果。方法 建立120颗人完整单根管前磨牙粪肠球菌感染根管模型,随机分组,分别采用不同冲洗液(0.9% NaCl,0.5% NaClO,3% NaClO)及冲洗方法(注射针头冲洗,超声荡洗,RinsEndo系统处理,超声荡洗协同RinsEndo系统联用)进行根管清理。无菌吸潮纸尖取样,平板菌落计数法计算CFU值,计算细菌清除率,运用SPSS 22.0软件进行统计分析,P<0.05时差异具有统计学意义。结果 使用0.9% NaCl及0.5% NaClO冲洗液时,注射针头冲洗组细菌清除率明显低于超声荡洗及RinsEndo系统处理组(P<0.001);使用3% NaClO冲洗液的各组不同的冲洗方法,细菌清除率的差异无统计学意义(P=0.556)。而无论采用哪种冲洗方法,3% NaClO溶液的细菌清除效果均优于0.5% NaClO溶液和0.9% NaCl溶液(P<0.001)。结论 不同根管冲洗液在一定程度上会影响根管冲洗方法对根管内粪肠球菌的清除效果。     

Effect of culture media and nutrients on biofilm growth kinetics of laboratory and clinical strains of Enterococcus faecalis

ObjectiveEnterococcus faecalis is a bacterial pathogen that is often associated with endodontic infections. Biofilm formation is a key virulence attribute in the pathogenicity of E. faecalis. In the present study, we comprehensively examined the effect of various culture media and nutrients on the development of E. faecalis biofilms.DesignA reference strain and a clinical isolate of E. faecalis were used in all experiments for comparison. Commonly used liquid culture media with different nutrient compositions were used to support the development of E. faecalis biofilms in a time-dependent assay. E. faecalis biofilms were quantified by colony forming unit (CFU) and crystal violet (CV) assays. Biofilm architecture and cellular viability were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy.ResultsGrowth kinetics evaluated by CFU and CV assays and by microscopy showed that E. faecalis biofilms reached maturity at 72 h. “Pg broth” (Tryptic Soy Broth with yeast extract, hemen and vitamin K) promoted E. faecalis biofilm formation more than Brain Heart Infusion broth or Tryptic Soy Broth. Addition of 2% glucose enhanced biofilm formation. Thus, it seems that nutrients such as hemen, vitamin K and glucose are important for E. faecalis for the formation of biofilms.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that nutrient-rich media containing glucose enhances the formation of E. faecalis biofilms, which exhibit maturation at 72 h.     

关节假体表面壳聚糖季铵盐涂层的抗感染性能研究

目的 研制一种抑制细菌黏附和生物膜形成,同时具有良好骨生物活性的材料,用于关节假体表面涂层,以降低人工关节置换术后的感染率.方法 合成6%,18%和44%取代度的壳聚糖季铵盐,利用金黄色葡萄球菌、耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌和表皮葡萄球菌检测其抗菌性能和对生物膜形成的影响,利用骨髓间充质干细胞检测其骨生物活性.共价交联法在钛金属表面制备壳聚糖季铵盐涂层.SD大鼠股骨下端髓腔内注射表皮葡萄球菌后分组植入涂层和未涂层钛棒,通过观察术后体温和体重变化,并进行血常规、X线摄片、微生物学及组织学检测分析涂层的抗感染性能.结果 壳聚糖季铵盐的抗菌活性随着其取代度的升高而增加;取代度为18%的壳聚糖季铵盐对于干细胞具有良好的生物相容性;而取代度为44%的壳聚糖季铵盐具有一定的细胞毒性.动物实验表明,取代度为18%的壳聚糖季铵盐涂层能有效防止表皮葡萄球菌引起的骨内感染.结论 中等取代度（18%）壳聚糖季铵盐兼具较强的抑菌能力和较好的骨生物活性,具有作为关节假体表面抗感染涂层的应用前景.     

The Staphylococcus aureus proteome

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive commensal bacterium that is regarded as a major threat for modern health care systems. This relates both to the ability of S. aureus to overcome antibiotic therapy by developing high-level resistance against multiple antibiotics and this bacterium's extensive arsenal of virulence factors. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance and functional studies on stress and starvation responses are the main goals of proteomics in staphylococcal research. This review high-lights recent advances in gel-based and gel-free proteomics analyses of S. aureus and pinpoints the importance of location-specific proteomics studies targeting the cytosol, the membrane, the cell surface and the extracellular milieu in combination with integrated global proteome studies. Emerging hot topics in staphylococcal proteomics are discussed with special focus on in vivo proteomics, membrane vesicles, biofilm formation and the acquisition of absolute proteome data for systems biological modeling approaches.     

解脲脲原体生物被膜形成与耐药性的相关性研究

目的 研究解脲脲原体(Ureaplasma urealyticum,Uu)标准株及临床分离株体外形成生物被膜的能力及游离状态与形成生物被膜后药物敏感性的差异.方法 对Uu标准株3、8血清型(Uu3、Uu8)及从女性患者宫颈中分离鉴定的21株Uu临床株进行体外培养后,扫描电镜、激光共聚焦显微镜鉴定生物被膜形成,并在生物被膜形成前后进行约敏测定(四环素、红霉素、环丙沙星).配对秩和检验及x2检验分别比较Uu游离状态及形成生物被膜后最低抑菌浓度间及耐药率间的差异.结果 Uu3、Uu8及21株Uu临床株均具有体外形成生物被膜的能力.Uu形成牛物被膜后对四环素、红霉素及环丙沙星的最低抑菌浓度较游离状态明显增高(P<0.001).Uu形成生物被膜后对红霉素及环丙沙星的耐药率增高具有统计学意义(P值分别为<0.001及0.035),但对四环素的耐药率增高无统计学意义(P=0.293).结论 Uu标准株及临床株均具有体外形成生物被膜的能力,Uu形成生物被膜后对抗菌素的抵抗力增加,出现了多重耐药现象.

Abstract：

Objective To study the ability of standard strain and clinical isolates of Ureaplasma spp. to form biofilms in vitro and to compare the antibiotic susceptibility of sessile cells and their planktonic counterparts. Methods A total of 21 Ureaplasma wealyticum(Uu) isolates recovered from female patients diagnosed with cervicitis and Uu serovar 3 and Uu serovar 8( Uu3, Uu8) were included. Scanning electron microscope and confocal scanning laser microscopy were used to identify biofilm formation. Conventional antibiotic susceptibility tests and biofilm susceptibility assays for tetracycline, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin were carried out. The paired rank sum test and was applied to analyze the statistical differences between the MIC and the minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration. The x2 test was applied to analyze the statistical differences of global resistance percentages between planktonic cells and sessile cells. Results Uu3, Uu8 and 21 Uu isolates all can form biofilms in vitro. Minimal inhibitory concentration of sessile cells compared with planktonic cells were obviously higher for tetracycline, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin (P <0.001). Global resistance percentages between planktonic cells and sessile cells were different for erythromycin (9.52% vs 61.90% , P < 0. 001), ciprofloxacin ( 80. 95% vs 100% , P = 0. 035 ) and tetracycline (4. 76% vs 14.29% , P =0.293). Conclusion Uu isolates and Uu1, Uu8 all can form biofilms in vitro, and biofilm formation can strengthen resistance of Uu to antibiotics, even multidrug resistance was observed.     

Antibiofilm Effects of Endodontic Sealers Containing Quaternary Ammonium Polyethylenimine Nanoparticles

Introduction

This study evaluated the antibiofilm effects of 2 endodontic sealers incorporated with quaternary ammonium polyethylenimine (QPEI) nanoparticles at a 2% concentration (w/w).

Methods

The materials tested were AH Plus and Pulp Canal Sealer EWT (PCS) in the commercial unmodified form or containing 2% QPEI. Antibiofilm assays were conducted by using direct-contact and membrane-restricted tests for evaluation of bacterial viability in biofilms grown onto membranes or paper disks and the crystal violet microtiter-plate assay to evaluate the effects of sealer extracts on the biofilm biomass. Two Enterococcus faecalis strains (ATCC and an endodontic isolate) were used.

Results

Direct contact and membrane-restricted antibiofilm tests revealed that PCS 2% was the only material to promote total killing of E. faecalis ATCC biofilms. All the materials significantly reduced bacterial counts in E. faecalis ATCC biofilms when compared with the positive control in both tests (P < .05). In the direct test against E. faecalis RW35, PCS 2% was significantly more effective than the other materials and was the only one that showed significantly lower counts than the positive control (P < .05). In the crystal violet assay, only AH Plus 2% presented optical density readings significantly lower than the positive control of the ATCC strain (P < .05). No other significant effects on the biofilm biomass of the 2 E. faecalis strains were observed for any of the sealers tested (P > .05).

Conclusions

Addition of QPEI nanoparticles improved the killing ability of PCS against biofilms of both E. faecalis strains and the effects of AH Plus on the biomass of biofilms from the ATCC strain.