title: Low concentrations of honey reduce biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and virulence in Escherichia coli O157:H7.
abstract: Bacterial biofilms are associated with persistent infections due to their high resistance to antimicrobial agents. Hence, controlling pathogenic biofilm formation is important in bacteria-related diseases. Honey, at a low concentration of 0.5% (v/v), significantly reduced biofilm formation in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 without inhibiting the growth of planktonic cells. Conversely, this concentration did not inhibit commensal E. coli K-12 biofilm formation. Transcriptome analyses showed that honey significantly repressed curli genes (csgBAC), quorum sensing genes (AI-2 importer and indole biosynthesis), and virulence genes (LEE genes). Glucose and fructose in the honeys were found to be key components in reducing biofilm formation by E. coli O157:H7 through the suppression of curli production and AI-2 import. Furthermore, honey, glucose and fructose decreased the colonization of E. coli O157:H7 cells on human HT-29 epithelial cells. These results suggest that low concentrations of honey, such as in honeyed water, can be a practical means for reducing the colonization and virulence of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7.
authors: School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-74, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jin-Hyung
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: Joo-Hyeon
authors: JH
authors: Park
authors: Jung-Ae
authors: JA
authors: Kim
authors: Ganesh Prasad
authors: GP
authors: Neupane
authors: Moo Hwan
authors: MH
authors: Cho
authors: Chang-Soo
authors: CS
authors: Lee
authors: Jintae
authors: J
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms; D048168:Escherichia coli K12 / Q000502:physiology*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D005632:Fructose; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005947:Glucose; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006722:Honey; D006801:Humans; D053038:Quorum Sensing; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C077481:Crl protein, Bacteria; D005632:Fructose; D005947:Glucose