Open AccessIndole and Derivatives Modulate Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Tolerance of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Author(s) -
Thanachaporn Yaikhan,
Manatsanan Chuerboon,
Natchapol Tippayatham,
Nateekarn Atimuttikul,
Taiyeebah Nuidate,
Mingkwan Yingkajorn,
Aung Win Tun,
Hansuk Buncherd,
Natta Tansila
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
indian journal of microbiology/indian journal of microbiology (print)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.523
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 0973-7715
pISSN - 0046-8991
DOI - 10.1007/s12088-019-00830-0
Subject(s) - indole test , klebsiella pneumoniae , biofilm , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , antibiotics , klebsiella , bacteria , escherichia coli , gene , biochemistry , genetics
Intercellular communication is a crucial process for the multicellular community in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Indole has been recognized as a new member of the signal molecules which enables the regulated control of various bacterial phenotypes. To elucidate the inter-species relationship among enteric microorganisms via indole signaling, Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) culture was treated with indole solution and examined for the pathogenicity by using various phenotypic tests. Both synthetic and naturally-produced indole preparations had no deteriorating effect on growth and autoaggregative capacity of KP. The results showed that biofilm formation of carbapenem-susceptible K . pneumoniae (KP-S) was clearly induced by indole exposure (≈ 2-10 folds), whereas no significant difference was observed in the resistant counterpart. In addition, the tolerance to β-lactam antibiotics of KP was altered upon exposure to indole and/or derivatives assessed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test. Taken together, our finding indicates the functional role of indole in changing or modulating pathogenic behaviors of other bacteria.