Browsing by Author "Jacobs, Anelet"

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    Biofilm formation and adherence characteristics of an Elizabethkingia meningoseptica isolate from Oreochromis mossambicus
    (BioMed Central, 2011-05-05) Jacobs, Anelet; Chenia, Hafizah Y.
    ABSTRACT: Background. Elizabethkingia spp. are opportunistic pathogens often found associated with intravascular device-related bacteraemias and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Their ability to exist as biofilm structures has been alluded to but not extensively investigated. Methods. The ability of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica isolate CH2B from freshwater tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and E. meningoseptica strain NCTC 10016T to adhere to abiotic surfaces was investigated using microtiter plate adherence assays following exposure to varying physico-chemical challenges. The role of cell-surface properties was investigated using hydrophobicity (bacterial adherence to hydrocarbons), autoaggregation and coaggregation assays. The role of extracellular components in adherence was determined using reversal or inhibition of coaggregation assays in conjunction with Listeria spp. isolates, while the role of cell-free supernatants, from diverse bacteria, in inducing enhanced adherence was investigated using microtitre plate assays. Biofilm architecture of isolate CH2B alone as well as in co-culture with Listeria monocytogenes was investigated using flow cells and microscopy. Results E. meningoseptica isolates CH2B and NCTC 10016T demonstrated stronger biofilm formation in nutrient-rich medium compared to nutrient-poor medium at both 21 and 37°C, respectively. Both isolates displayed a hydrophilic cell surface following the bacterial adherence to xylene assay. Varying autoaggregation and coaggregation indices were observed for the E. meningoseptica isolates. Coaggregation by isolate CH2B appeared to be strongest with foodborne pathogens like Enterococcus, Staphylococcus and Listeria spp. Partial inhibition of coaggregation was observed when isolate CH2B was treated with heat or protease exposure, suggesting the presence of heat-sensitive adhesins, although sugar treatment resulted in increased coaggregation and may be associated with a lactose-associated lectin or capsule-mediated attachment. Conclusions. E. meningoseptica isolate CH2B and strain NCTC 10016T displayed a strong biofilm-forming phenotype which may play a role in its potential pathogenicity in both clinical and aquaculture environments. The ability of E. meningoseptica isolates to adhere to abiotic surfaces and form biofilm structures may result from the hydrophilic cell surface and multiple adhesins located around the cell.
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    Investigation and comparison of adherence- and biofilm-forming capacities of yellow-pigmented Chryseobacterium, Elizabethkingia and Myroides spp. isolated from South African aquaculture systems
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007-03) Jacobs, Anelet; Chenia, H. Y.; Rawlings, D. E.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Microbiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the aquaculture setting, opportunistic pathogens are present as part of the normal aquatic microflora, colonizing surfaces in fish tanks as part of biofilm communities, and often causing severe economic losses to the aquacultural industry. Isolates belonging to the genera Chryseobacterium, Elizabethkingia, Myroides and Empedobacter have been isolated from diseased fish, and are responsible for causing secondary fish infections, fish- and food-product spoilage, and have been described as etiological agents of various human diseases. Thirty-four Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia spp. and five Myroides and Empedobacter spp. isolates, obtained from various diseased fish species and biofilm growth in South African aquaculture systems, were characterised genetically using 16S rRNA gene PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR, whole cell protein (WCP) and outer membrane protein (OMP) analyses. Genetic heterogeneity was displayed by the Myroides and Empedobacter spp. study isolates following OMP analysis, although 16S rRNA gene RFLP, RAPD-PCR and WCP analysis did not allow for differentiation of these isolates. A high degree of genetic heterogeneity was displayed by the Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia spp. study isolates following OMP analysis, 16S rRNA gene RFLP with MspI, and RAPD-PCR with primer P2. However, based on the results obtained by WCP analysis, 16S rRNA gene RFLP with CfoI and TaqI, and RAPD-PCR with primer P1 the isolates appeared genetically very homogeneous. High MAR indices and potential multi-drug resistance phenotypes were obtained for the Myroides and Empedobacter spp. and some of the Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia spp. isolates by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Primary adherence and the influence of environmental changes on adherence was investigated by a modified microtitre-plate adherence assay. Nutrient composition, temperature and hydrodynamic incubation conditions were observed to influence adherence abilities of all study isolates. In addition, adherence varied greatly among isolates of the genera Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia, as opposed to a consistent strong adherence profile observed for the Myroides and Empedobacter spp. isolates. The influence of cell surface properties such as capsule presence and cell surface hydrophobicity, on primary adherence of the isolates was also investigated. Quantitative analysis of capsular material revealed the presence of thick capsular material surrounding the Myroides and Empedobacter spp. and some of the Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia spp. isolates, but could not be directly associated with adherence. Hydrophobicity were investigated using the salt aggregation assay (SAT) and bacterial adherence to hydrocarbon test (BATH). A very hydrophilic cell surface was observed for all of the Myroides and Empedobacter spp. isolates, and majority (74%) of the Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia spp. isolates. Cell surface hydrophobicity could not be correlated to the adherence of the Myroides and Empedobacter spp. isolates, and only SAT-determined hydrophobicity could be positively correlated to adherence of Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia spp. isolates under certain conditions. Coaggregation studies were performed between the study isolates and various important clinical and aquacultural microorganisms. High coaggregation indices were observed between the Myroides and Empedobacter spp. isolates and E. faecalis and S. aureus, and between E. faecalis, S. enterica serovar Arizonae, S. aureus and Listeria spp. and the Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia spp. isolates. Biofilm-forming capacity of the study isolates in an environment simulating their natural environment was investigated microscopically using a flow cell system. Typical ‘cone-like’ biofilm structures were observed for selected strains of both Myroides and Empedobacter spp. and Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia spp. isolates. The effect of increased hydrodynamics on biofilm architecture was seen through the narrowing of the biofilm structures and the formation of single cell chains towards the increased hydrodynamic area of the flow chambers. Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia spp. and Myroides and Empedobacter spp. appear to be potential primary biofilm-formers associating with a variety of microbes thus perpetuating their survival in a variety of aquatic habitats.