Work

The spatial profiles and metabolic capabilities of microbial populations impact the growth of antibiotic-resistant mutants

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Antibiotic resistance adversely affects clinical and public health on a global scale. Using the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we show that increasing the number density of bacteria, on agar containing aminoglycoside antibiotics, can non-monotonically impact the survival of antibiotic-resistant mutants. Notably, at high cell densities, mutant survival is inhibited. A wide range of bacterial species can inhibit antibiotic-resistant mutants. Inhibition results from the metabolic breakdown of amino acids, which results in alkaline by-products. The consequent increase in pH acts in conjunction with aminoglycosides to mediate inhibition. Our work raises the possibility that the manipulation of microbial population structure and nutrient environment in conjunction with existing antibiotics could provide therapeutic approaches to combat antibiotic resistance.

Source: Journal of The Royal Society Interface

DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2015.0018

Authors: Karishma S. Kaushik, Nalin Ratnayeke, Parag Katira, Vernita D. Gordon

Institution: The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: University of Texas at Austin