Fimbriae have distinguishable roles in Proteus mirabilis biofilm formation
Author
dc.contributor.author
Scavone, Paola
Author
dc.contributor.author
Iribarnegaray, Victoria
Author
dc.contributor.author
Caetano, Laura
Author
dc.contributor.author
Schlapp, Geraldine
Author
dc.contributor.author
Hartel, Steffen
Author
dc.contributor.author
Zunino, Pablo
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2017-03-23T19:35:31Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2017-03-23T19:35:31Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
2016
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
Pathogens and Disease, 74, 2016, ftw033
es_ES
Identifier
dc.identifier.other
10.1093/femspd/ftw033
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/143270
Abstract
dc.description.abstract
Proteus mirabilis is one of the most common etiological agents of complicated urinary tract infections, especially those associated with catheterization. This is related to the ability of P. mirabilis to form biofilms on different surfaces. This pathogen encodes 17 putative fimbrial operons, the highest number found in any sequenced bacterial species so far. The present study analyzed the role of four P. mirabilis fimbriae (MR/P, UCA, ATF and PMF) in biofilm formation using isogenic mutants. Experimental approaches included migration over catheter, swimming and swarming motility, the semiquantitative assay based on adhesion and crystal violet staining, and biofilm development by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Different assays were performed using LB or artificial urine. Results indicated that the different fimbriae contribute to the formation of a stable and functional biofilm. Fimbriae revealed particular associated roles. First, all the mutants showed a significantly reduced ability to migrate across urinary catheter sections but neither swimming nor swarming motility were affected. However, some mutants formed smaller biofilms compared with the wild type (MRP and ATF) while others formed significantly larger biofilms (UCA and PMF) showing different bioarchitecture features. It can be concluded that P. mirabilis fimbriae have distinguishable roles in the generation of biofilms, particularly in association with catheters