Sunday, November 13, 2016

Anaerobic biofilm conditions optimize Propionibacterium growth





Propionibacterium acnes biofilm - A sanctuary for Staphylococcus aureus?

These authors measured planktonic growth and biofilm formation of Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus alone and together under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Both P. acnes and S. aureus grew under anaerobic conditions. 

When grown under anaerobic conditions, P. acnes alone or with S. aureus formed a biofilm denser than that of S. aureus alone. 

Viable S. aureus was recovered from a 16- day old combined P. acnes and S. aureus biofilm, but not a monomicrobial S. aureus biofilm, suggesting that P. acnes biofilms may provide an ideal growth site for S. aureus.

Comment: 
Some key findings from our standpoint:
(1) planktonic growth of Propionibacterium was poor under aerobic conditions 
 (2) biofilm growth of Propionibacterium was poor under aerobic conditions
 (3) planktonic growth of Propionibacterium was slowed under anaerobic conditions
  (4) biofilm growth of Propionibacterium was robust under anaerobic conditions



These data demonstrate that anaerobic biofilm conditions optimize Propionibacterium growth.

Does a titanium implant in a relatively anaerobic medullary canal produce these conditions? See: