Upregulation of virulence genes promotes Vibrio cholerae biofilm hyperinfectivity.

ABSTRACT: Vibrio cholerae remains a major global health threat, disproportionately impacting parts of the world without adequate infrastructure and sanitation resources. In aquatic environments, V. cholerae exists both as planktonic cells and as biofilms, which are held together by an extracellular matrix. V. cholerae biofilms have been shown to be hyperinfective, but the mechanism of hyperinfectivity is unclear. Here we show that biofilm-grown cells, irrespective of the surfaces on which they are formed, are able to markedly outcompete planktonic-grown cells in the infant mouse. Using an imaging technique designed to render intestinal tissue optically transparent and preserve the spatial integrity of infected intestines, we reveal and compare three-dimensional V. cholerae

SUBMITTER: Gallego-Hernandez AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7245069 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature