Enterococcal biofilm formation and virulence in an optimized murine model of foreign body-associated urinary tract infections

Infect Immun. 2010 Oct;78(10):4166-75. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00711-10. Epub 2010 Aug 9.

Abstract

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) constitute the majority of nosocomial UTIs and pose significant clinical challenges. Enterococcal species are among the predominant causative agents of CAUTIs. However, very little is known about the pathophysiology of Enterococcus-mediated UTIs. We optimized a murine model of foreign body-associated UTI in order to mimic conditions of indwelling catheters in patients. In this model, the presence of a foreign body elicits major histological changes and induces the expression of several proinflammatory cytokines in the bladder. In addition, in contrast to naïve mice, infection of catheter-implanted mice with Enterococcus faecalis induced the specific expression of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α) in the bladder. These responses resulted in a favorable niche for the development of persistent E. faecalis infections in the murine bladders and kidneys. Furthermore, biofilm formation on the catheter implant in vivo correlated with persistent infections. However, the enterococcal autolytic factors GelE and Atn (also known as AtlA), which are important in biofilm formation in vitro, are dispensable in vivo. In contrast, the housekeeping sortase A (SrtA) is critical for biofilm formation and virulence in CAUTIs. Overall, this murine model represents a significant advance in the understanding of CAUTIs and underscores the importance of urinary catheterization during E. faecalis uropathogenesis. This model is also a valuable tool for the identification of virulence determinants that can serve as potential antimicrobial targets for the treatment of enterococcal infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminoacyltransferases / genetics
  • Aminoacyltransferases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Biomarkers
  • Catheter-Related Infections / microbiology*
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Enterococcus faecalis / pathogenicity*
  • Enterococcus faecalis / physiology
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / complications*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / etiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Kidney / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Silicones
  • Urinary Bladder / immunology
  • Urinary Bladder / microbiology
  • Urinary Bladder / pathology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / etiology*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Biomarkers
  • Silicones
  • Aminoacyltransferases
  • sortase A
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases