Despite Antagonism in vitro, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Enhances Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in a Murine Lung Infection Model.

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are prevalent lung pathogens in cystic fibrosis (CF). Whereas co-infection worsens the clinical outcome, prototypical strains are usually antagonistic in vitro. We sought to resolve the discrepancy between these in vitro and in vivo observations. In vitro, growth kinetics for co-cultures of co-isolates from CF patients showed that not all P. aeruginosa strains affected S. aureus viability. On solid media, S. aureus slow-growing colonies were visualized around some P. aeruginosa strains whether or not S. aureus viability was reduced in liquid co-cultures. The S. aureus-P. aeruginosa interactions were then characterized in a mouse lung infection model. Lung homogenates were plated on selective media allowing colony counts of either bacterium.

SUBMITTER: Millette G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6923662 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature