Open AccessRespiratory Pathogens Adopt a Chronic Lifestyle in Response to Bile
Author(s) -
F. Jerry Reen,
David F. Woods,
Marlies J. Mooij,
Claire Adams,
Fergal O’Gara
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0045978
Subject(s) - pseudomonas aeruginosa , cystic fibrosis , microbiology and biotechnology , biofilm , respiratory system , staphylococcus aureus , swarming motility , burkholderia , biology , respiratory tract , quorum sensing , respiratory tract infections , immunology , medicine , bacteria , genetics
Chronic respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, most particularly in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients. The recent finding that gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) frequently occurs in CF patients led us to investigate the impact of bile on the behaviour of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other CF-associated respiratory pathogens. Bile increased biofilm formation, Type Six Secretion, and quorum sensing in P. aeruginosa , all of which are associated with the switch from acute to persistent infection. Furthermore, bile negatively influenced Type Three Secretion and swarming motility in P. aeruginosa , phenotypes associated with acute infection. Bile also modulated biofilm formation in a range of other CF-associated respiratory pathogens, including Burkholderia cepacia and Staphylococcus aureus . Therefore, our results suggest that GER-derived bile may be a host determinant contributing to chronic respiratory infection.