Open AccessCharacterization of blue light irradiation effects on pathogenic and nonpathogenic Escherichia coli
Author(s) -
Abana Courtney M.,
Bran John R.,
Ebbott Rebecca A.,
Dunigan Taryn L.,
Guckes Kirsten R.,
Fuseini Hubaida,
Powers Jennifer,
Rogers Bridget R.,
Hadjifrangiskou Maria
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
microbiologyopen
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.881
H-Index - 36
ISSN - 2045-8827
DOI - 10.1002/mbo3.466
Subject(s) - escherichia coli , microbiology and biotechnology , antimicrobial , bacteria , biology , antibiotics , strain (injury) , gastrointestinal tract , colony forming unit , genetics , gene , biochemistry , anatomy
Abstract 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 ( BLI 455 ), using colony‐forming unit and ATP measurement assays. Our results revealed that BLI 455 is 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.