Bacillaene Mediates the Inhibitory Effect of < em > Bacillus subtilis < /em > on < em > Campylobacter jejuni < /em > Biofilms

In this study, we investigated the ability of the natural isolate Bacillus subtilis PS-216 to restrain Campylobacter jejuni biofilm formation and adhesion to abiotic surfaces as well as to disrupt pre-established C. jejuni biofilms. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy and colony counts, we demonstrate that the presence of B. subtilis PS-216 prevents C. jejuni biofilm formation, decreases growth of the pathogen by 4.2 log10 and disperses 26 h old pre-established C. jejuni biofilms. Furthermore, the co-inoculation of B. subtilis and C. jejuni interferes with the adhesion of C. jejuni to abiotic surfaces reducing it by 2.4 log10 We also show that contact-independent mechanisms contribute to the inhibitory effect of B. subtilis PS-216 on C. jejuni biofilm. Using B. subtilis mutants in genes coding for non-ribosomal peptides and polyketides revealed that bacillaene significantly contributes to the inhibitory effect of B. subtilis PS-216. In summary, we show a strong potential for the use of B. subtilis PS-216 against C. jejuni biofilm formation and adhesion to abiotic surfaces. Our research could bring forward novel applications of B. subtilis in animal production and thus contribute to food safety.IMPORTANCE Campylobacter jejuni is an intestinal commensal in animals (including broiler chickens), but also the most frequent cause of bacterial food-borne infection in humans. This pathogen forms biofilms which mend survival of C. jejuni in food processing and thus threaten human...
Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Source Type: research