Heme cross-feeding can augment Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis dual species biofilms.

ABSTRACT: The contribution of biofilms to virulence and as a barrier to treatment is well-established for Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, both nosocomial pathogens frequently isolated from biofilm-associated infections. Despite frequent co-isolation, their interactions in biofilms have not been well-characterized. We report that in combination, these two species can give rise to augmented biofilms biomass that is dependent on the activation of E. faecalis aerobic respiration. In E. faecalis, respiration requires both exogenous heme to activate the cydAB-encoded heme-dependent cytochrome bd, and the availability of O₂. We determined that the ABC transporter encoded by cydDC contributes to heme import. In dual species biofilms, S. aureus provides the heme to activate E. fae

SUBMITTER: Ch'ng JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9296619 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature