Characterization of blue light irradiation effects on pathogenic and nonpathogenic Escherichia coli.
Blue light irradiation (BLI) is an FDA-approved method for treating certain types of infections, like acne, and is becoming increasingly attractive as an antimicrobial strategy as the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" rises. However, no study has delineated the effectiveness of BLI throughout different bacterial growth phases, especially in more BLI-tolerant organisms such as Escherichia coli. While the vast majority of E. coli strains are nonpathogenic, several E. coli pathotypes exist that cause infection within and outside the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we compared the response of E. coli strains from five phylogenetic groups to BLI with a 455 nm wavelength (BLI455), using colony-forming unit and ATP measurement assays. Our results revealed that BLI455is not bactericidal, but can retard E. coli growth in a manner that is dependent on culture age and strain background. This observation is critical, given that bacteria on and within mammalian hosts are found in different phases of growth.
Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
Courtney M
0000-0002-2734-5928
CM
Abana
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
John R
JR
Brannon
Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
Rebecca A
RA
Ebbott
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
Taryn L
TL
Dunigan
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Kirsten R
KR
Guckes
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Hubaida
H
Fuseini
Vanderbilt Dermatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Jennifer
J
Powers
Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
Bridget R
BR
Rogers
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.|Department of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Maria
0000-0003-4249-8997
M
Hadjifrangiskou
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008027:Light; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000528:radiation effects*
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate

E. coli
; membranes; pathogenesis; persisters