Antagonistic interactions amongst bacteriocin-producing enteric bacteria in dual species biofilms.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the antagonistic interactions between bacteriocin-producing enteric bacteria in dual species biofilms and the interspecies interactions correlated with sensitivity to biocides.


RESULTS
When compared with their single species counterparts, the dual species biofilms formed by bacteriocin-producing strains exhibited a decrease in biofilm size and an increase in sensitivity to the antimicrobial agents hypochlorite, triclosan and benzalkonium chloride. The five dual species biofilms studied all resulted in biofilms containing a mixture of the two strains. This was attributed to the spatial distribution of cells within the biofilm, with each strain forming its own microcolonies. The production of a bacteriocin also gave a strain a competitive advantage when interacting with a bacteriocin-sensitive strain within a biofilm, both in gaining a foothold in a new environment and in preventing the colonization of a potential competitor into a pre-established biofilm.


CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that bacteriocins might be used specifically for interacting with competing strains within a biofilm, as opposed to a planktonic, environment.


CONCLUSIONS
Unlike planktonically grown bacteriocin-producing populations, where one strain will always be out-competed, bacteriocin-producing and bacteriocin-sensitive strains can coexist in biofilm communities, clearly demonstrating major differences between biofilm and planktonic competition. This paper highlights the importance of bacteriocin production in the development of biofilm communities.
Tait
K
K
Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK.
Sutherland
I W
IW
D000818:Animals; D001430:Bacteriocins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D010933:Plankton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
D001430:Bacteriocins; D004202:Disinfectants