Document Detail


Type IV pili and the CcpA protein are needed for maximal biofilm formation by the gram-positive anaerobic pathogen Clostridium perfringens.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18765726     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The predominant organizational state of bacteria in nature is biofilms. Biofilms have been shown to increase bacterial resistance to a variety of stresses. We demonstrate for the first time that the anaerobic gram-positive pathogen Clostridium perfringens forms biofilms. At the same concentration of glucose in the medium, optimal biofilm formation depended on a functional CcpA protein. While the ratio of biofilm to planktonic growth was higher in the wild type than in a ccpA mutant strain in middle to late stages of biofilm development, the bacteria shifted from a predominantly biofilm state to planktonic growth as the concentration of glucose in the medium increased in a CcpA-independent manner. As is the case in some gram-negative bacteria, type IV pilus (TFP)-dependent gliding motility was necessary for efficient biofilm formation, as demonstrated by laser confocal and electron microscopy. However, TFP were not associated with the bacteria in the biofilm but with the extracellular matrix. Biofilms afforded C. perfringens protection from environmental stress, including exposure to atmospheric oxygen for 6 h and 24 h and to 10 mM H(2)O(2) for 5 min. Biofilm cells also showed 5- to 15-fold-increased survival over planktonic cells after exposure to 20 microg/ml (27 times the MIC) of penicillin G for 6 h and 24 h, respectively. These results indicate C. perfringens biofilms play an important role in the persistence of the bacteria in response to environmental stress and that they may be a factor in diseases, such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and gas gangrene, that are caused by C. perfringens.
Authors:
John J Varga; Blair Therit; Stephen B Melville
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.     Date:  2008-09-02
Journal Detail:
Title:  Infection and immunity     Volume:  76     ISSN:  1098-5522     ISO Abbreviation:  Infect. Immun.     Publication Date:  2008 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-10-20     Completed Date:  2008-11-18     Revised Date:  2009-11-18    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0246127     Medline TA:  Infect Immun     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  4944-51     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, 2119 Derring Hall, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
Biofilms / drug effects,  growth & development*
Clostridium perfringens / physiology*,  ultrastructure
DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
Fimbriae, Bacterial / metabolism*
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Glucose / metabolism
Hydrogen Peroxide / toxicity
Microscopy, Confocal
Microscopy, Electron
Oxidative Stress / physiology
Oxygen / toxicity
Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anti-Bacterial Agents; 0/Bacterial Proteins; 0/DNA-Binding Proteins; 0/Repressor Proteins; 0/catabolite control proteins, bacteria; 50-99-7/Glucose; 7722-84-1/Hydrogen Peroxide; 7782-44-7/Oxygen
Comments/Corrections

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