Tetrahymena thermophila Predation Enhances Environmental Adaptation of the Carp Pathogenic Strain Aeromonas hydrophila NJ-35.

ABSTRACT: Persistence of Aeromonas hydrophila in aquatic environments is the principle cause of fish hemorrhagic septicemia. Protistan predation has been considered to be a strong driving force for the evolution of bacterial defense strategies. In this study, we investigated the adaptive traits of A. hydrophila NJ-35, a carp pathogenic strain, in response to Tetrahymena thermophila predation. After subculturing with Tetrahymena, over 70% of A. hydrophila colonies were small colony variants (SCVs). The SCVs displayed enhanced biofilm formation, adhesion, fitness, and resistance to bacteriophage infection and oxidative stress as compared to the non-Tetrahymena-exposed strains. In contrast, the SCVs exhibited decreased intracellular bacterial number in RAW264.7

SUBMITTER: Liu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5861188 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature