Metabolism, ATP production and biofilm generation by Staphylococcus epidermidis in either respiratory or fermentative conditions

• Main Authors: Ulrik Pedroza-Dávila, Cristina Uribe-Alvarez, Lilia Morales-García, Emilio Espinoza-Simón, Ofelia Méndez-Romero, Adriana Muhlia-Almazán, Natalia Chiquete-Félix, Salvador Uribe-Carvajal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2020-02-01
• Series: AMB Express
• Subjects: Staphylococcus epidermidis; Oxygen concentration; Metabolism; Biofilms; Rate of oxygen consumption; Fermentation
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13568-020-00966-z

Abstract Staphylococcus epidermidis is a Gram-positive saprophytic bacterium found in the microaerobic/anaerobic layers of the skin that becomes a health hazard when it is carried across the skin through punctures or wounds. Pathogenicity is enhanced by the ability of S. epidermidis to associate into biofilms, where it avoids attacks by the host and antibiotics. To test the effect of oxygen on metabolism and biofilm generation, cells were cultured at different oxygen concentrations ([O2]). As [O2] decreased, S. epidermidis metabolism went from respiratory to fermentative. Remarkably, the rate of growth decreased at low [O2] while a high concentration of ATP ([ATP]) was kept. Under hypoxic conditions bacteria associated into biofilms. Aerobic activity sensitized the cell to hydrogen peroxide-mediated damage. In the presence of metabolic inhibitors, biofilm formation decreased. It is suggested that at low [O2] S. epidermidis limits its growth and develops the ability to form biofilms.