Competition quenching strategies reduce antibiotic tolerance in polymicrobial biofilms
Abstract Bacteria typically live in dense communities where they are surrounded by other species and compete for a limited amount of resources. These competitive interactions can induce defensive responses that also protect against antimicrobials, potentially complicating the antimicrobial treatment...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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| Series: | npj Biofilms and Microbiomes |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-024-00489-6 |
| _version_ | 1827310363861843968 |
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| author | Bram Lories Tom E. R. Belpaire Bart Smeets Hans P. Steenackers |
| author_facet | Bram Lories Tom E. R. Belpaire Bart Smeets Hans P. Steenackers |
| author_sort | Bram Lories |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Bacteria typically live in dense communities where they are surrounded by other species and compete for a limited amount of resources. These competitive interactions can induce defensive responses that also protect against antimicrobials, potentially complicating the antimicrobial treatment of pathogens residing in polymicrobial consortia. Therefore, we evaluate the potential of alternative antivirulence strategies that quench this response to competition. We test three competition quenching approaches: (i) interference with the attack mechanism of surrounding competitors, (ii) inhibition of the stress response systems that detect competition, and (iii) reduction of the overall level of competition in the community by lowering the population density. We show that either strategy can prevent the induction of antimicrobial tolerance of Salmonella Typhimurium in response to competitors. Competition quenching strategies can thus reduce tolerance of pathogens residing in polymicrobial communities and could contribute to the improved eradication of these pathogens via traditional methods. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:59:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d17a0a4f6562470393b5b4244ce416e6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-5008 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:59:41Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Biofilms and Microbiomes |
| spelling | doaj.art-d17a0a4f6562470393b5b4244ce416e62024-03-24T12:12:06ZengNature Portfolionpj Biofilms and Microbiomes2055-50082024-03-0110111110.1038/s41522-024-00489-6Competition quenching strategies reduce antibiotic tolerance in polymicrobial biofilmsBram Lories0Tom E. R. Belpaire1Bart Smeets2Hans P. Steenackers3Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG)Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG)Division of Mechatronics, Biostatistics, and Sensors (MeBioS), Department of BiosystemsDepartment of Microbial and Molecular Systems, Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG)Abstract Bacteria typically live in dense communities where they are surrounded by other species and compete for a limited amount of resources. These competitive interactions can induce defensive responses that also protect against antimicrobials, potentially complicating the antimicrobial treatment of pathogens residing in polymicrobial consortia. Therefore, we evaluate the potential of alternative antivirulence strategies that quench this response to competition. We test three competition quenching approaches: (i) interference with the attack mechanism of surrounding competitors, (ii) inhibition of the stress response systems that detect competition, and (iii) reduction of the overall level of competition in the community by lowering the population density. We show that either strategy can prevent the induction of antimicrobial tolerance of Salmonella Typhimurium in response to competitors. Competition quenching strategies can thus reduce tolerance of pathogens residing in polymicrobial communities and could contribute to the improved eradication of these pathogens via traditional methods.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-024-00489-6 |
| spellingShingle | Bram Lories Tom E. R. Belpaire Bart Smeets Hans P. Steenackers Competition quenching strategies reduce antibiotic tolerance in polymicrobial biofilms npj Biofilms and Microbiomes |
| title | Competition quenching strategies reduce antibiotic tolerance in polymicrobial biofilms |
| title_full | Competition quenching strategies reduce antibiotic tolerance in polymicrobial biofilms |
| title_fullStr | Competition quenching strategies reduce antibiotic tolerance in polymicrobial biofilms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Competition quenching strategies reduce antibiotic tolerance in polymicrobial biofilms |
| title_short | Competition quenching strategies reduce antibiotic tolerance in polymicrobial biofilms |
| title_sort | competition quenching strategies reduce antibiotic tolerance in polymicrobial biofilms |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-024-00489-6 |
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