Experimental Listeria-Tetrahymena-Amoeba food chain functioning depends on bacterial virulence traits.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Some pathogenic bacteria have been developing as a part of terrestrial and aquatic microbial ecosystems. Bacteria are consumed by bacteriovorous protists which are readily consumed by larger organisms. Being natural predators, protozoa are also an instrument for selection of virulence traits in bacteria. Moreover, protozoa serve as a "Trojan horse" that deliver pathogens to the human body. Here, we suggested that carnivorous amoebas feeding on smaller bacteriovorous protists might serve as "Troy" themselves when pathogens are delivered to them with their preys. A dual role might be suggested for protozoa in the development of traits required for bacterial passage along the food chain.

Results

A model food chain was developed. Pathogenic bacteria L. monocytogenes o

SUBMITTER: Pushkareva VI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6874821 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature