Quorum sensing inhibition selects for virulence and cooperation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

ABSTRACT: With the rising development of bacterial resistance the search for new medical treatments beyond conventional antimicrobials has become a key aim of public health research. Possible innovative strategies include the inhibition of bacterial virulence. However, consideration must be given to the evolutionary and environmental consequences of such new interventions. Virulence and cooperative social behaviour of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa rely on the quorum-sensing (QS) controlled production of extracellular products (public goods). Hence QS is an attractive target for anti-virulence interventions. During colonization, non-cooperating (and hence less virulent) P. aeruginosa QS-mutants, benefiting from public goods provided by wild type isolates, naturally increase in frequency provid

SUBMITTER: Kohler T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2865528 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature