title: Biofilms of vaginal Lactobacillus reuteri CRL 1324 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1332: kinetics of formation and matrix characterization.
abstract: Adhesion and biofilm formation are strain properties that reportedly contribute to the permanence of lactobacilli in the human vagina. The kinetics of biofilm formation and the chemical nature of the biofilm matrix formed by Lactobacillus reuteri CRL (Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos Culture Collection) 1324 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL 1332, vaginal beneficial strains, were evaluated in this work. Crystal violet-stained microplate assay and techniques of epifluorescence, electron and confocal microscopy were applied. The highest density and complexity of biofilms of both vaginal lactobacilli were observed at 72 h of incubation. Protease, proteinase K, α-chymotrypsin and trypsin treatments efficiently detached L. reuteri CRL 1324 biofilm that was also partially affected by α-amylase. However, L. rhamnosus CRL 1332 biofilm was slightly affected by protease, proteinase K and α-amylase. Confocal microscopy revealed greater amount of polysaccharides in L. rhamnosus CRL 1332 biofilm matrix than in L. reuteri CRL 1324 biofilm matrix. The results indicate that proteins are one of the main components of the L. reuteri CRL 1324 biofilm, while the biofilm matrix of L. rhamnosus CRL 1332 is composed of carbohydrates and proteins. The results obtained support the knowledge, understanding and characterization of two biofilm-forming vaginal Lactobacillus strains.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA)-CONICET, Chacabuco 145, 4000, Tucumán, Argentina.
authors.forename: María Cecilia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Leccese Terraf
authors.affiliation: Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA)-CONICET, Chacabuco 145, 4000, Tucumán, Argentina.
authors.forename: María Silvina
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Juárez Tomás
authors.affiliation: UMR 1253 STLO, INRA, Rennes, France.|UMR1253 STLO, Agrocampus Ouest, Rennes, France.
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rault
authors.affiliation: UMR 1253 STLO, INRA, Rennes, France.|UMR1253 STLO, Agrocampus Ouest, Rennes, France.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Le Loir
authors.affiliation: UMR 1253 STLO, INRA, Rennes, France.|UMR1253 STLO, Agrocampus Ouest, Rennes, France.
authors.forename: Sergine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Even
authors.affiliation: Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA)-CONICET, Chacabuco 145, 4000, Tucumán, Argentina. fnader@cerela.org.ar.
authors.forename: María Elena Fátima
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nader-Macías
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D018441:Biofilms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D052200:Limosilactobacillus reuteri / Q000502:physiology*; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / Q000502:physiology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D019936:Probiotics; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Beneficial microorganisms; Biofilm formation; Biofilm matrix; Confocal microscopy; Probiotics; Vaginal lactobacilli