Project description:The Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) in bacteria is a versatile mechanism that facilitates protein transport into neighboring cells and can act as an antibacterial weapon by eliminating competing organisms in the vicinity. The objective of this study was to characterize the T6SS in Aggregatibacter aphrophilus and assess its antimicrobial capabilities through competition with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in a multispecies biofilm. The proteomic analysis consisted of two parts, referred to as monospecies biofilm and multispecies biofilms, respectively. Initially, we examined the protein profiles of monospecies biofilms formed by two strains of Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, namely HK83 and CCUG 11575, along with their Hcp mutant derivatives (Hcp being a core protein for T6SS). Each strain was analyzed with six replicates (n=4 for HK83, HK83 hcp, CCUG 11575, and CCUG 11575 hcp). Subsequently, the HK83 and CCUG 11575 strains, as well as their Hcp mutant derivatives, were individually introduced into a multispecies biofilm. This multispecies biofilm consisted of seven species, namely A. actinomycetemcomitans JP2 strain (OMZ 295), Actinomyces oris (OMZ 745), Candida albicans (OMZ 110), Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum KP-F2 (OMZ 598), Streptococcus oralis SK248 (OMZ 607), Streptococcus mutans UA159 (OMZ 918), and Veillonella dispar ATCC 17748T (OMZ 493). These species were selected to mimic the natural co-habitat of A. aphrophilus and A. actinomycetemcomitans. Furthermore, control 7-species biofilms with A. aphrophilus strains HK83, HK83 hcp, CCUG 11575, and CCUG 11575 hcp (n=4 each) underwent proteomic analysis to gain insights into the protein expression and potential interactions within the biofilm community.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, a commensal of the oro-pharyngeal flora and member of the HACEK group of organisms, is an uncommonly encountered clinical pathogen. It has already been described as the causative agent of brain abscesses, empyema, meningitis, sinusitis, otitis media, bacteriemia, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, peritonitis, endocarditis and wound infections. Herein we report the first case of bartholinitis due to A. aphrophilus. CASE PRESENTATION:A 33-year-old woman was admitted for a 3-day genital pain without fever and urinary functional signs. The abscess was incised and drained; A. aphrophilus was the only micro-organism that grew from the pus. The patient received no antibiotics; the clinical course was favourable. CONCLUSION:This case highlights the importance of an effective treatment of recurrent bartholinitis such as a cold resection of the gland. It is presented for its rarity.