Biofilm formation and changes in bacterial cell surface hydrophobicity during growth in a CAPD model system.
Peritonitis is a frequent complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), with patients suffering recurrent attacks. The microorganisms most frequently implicated in the infection are the skin microflora, in particular, the coagulase-negative staphylococci such as Staphylococcus epidermidis. These microorganisms gain access to the peritoneal cavity via the in-dwelling silicone rubber catheter in the abdominal wall and often persist as biofilms on the surface of the catheter. The surface characteristics of S. epidermidis were monitored during growth in a CAPD in-vitro model together with their ability to adhere to silicone rubber substrata. Fresh dialysis fluid exerted an injurious effect on the cells leading to a decrease in cell numbers but during the simulated dialysis period the cells adapted to the applied stresses. Over a 96-h period in the model both a clinical isolate and a skin isolate of S. epidermidis adopted a more hydrophobic phenotype. The data presented here show that the bacteria grown in this in-vivo reflective CAPD model continually adapt to their environment and become more tolerant to the stresses imposed. The adapted cells were seen to colonise silicone rubber substrata.
Hanlon
G W
GW
School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK. g.w.hanlon@bton.ac.uk
Denyer
S P
SP
Hodges
N A
NA
Brant
J A
JA
Lansley
A B
AB
Al-Rustamani
W A
WA
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000382:microbiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D015314:Dialysis Solutions; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008954:Models, Biological; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification
D015314:Dialysis Solutions; D012826:Silicone Elastomers