Role of RpoS and AlgT in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm resistance to hydrogen peroxide and monochloramine

• Published in: Journal of applied microbiology Vol. 88; no. 3; pp. 546 - 553
• Main Authors: Cochran, W. L., Suh, S. ‐J., McFeters, G. A., Stewart, P. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.03.2000; Blackwell Science; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Action of physical and chemical agents on bacteria; Alginates; AlgT protein; Bacterial Proteins - genetics; Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; Bacteriology; Biofilms - drug effects; Biofilms - growth & development; Biological and medical sciences; Chloramines - pharmacology; Disinfection; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic Complementation Test; Glass; Hydrogen Peroxide - pharmacology; Microbiology; Microspheres; monochloramine; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - drug effects; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - genetics; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - physiology; RpoS protein; Sigma Factor - genetics; Sigma Factor - metabolism; Space life sciences; Pseudomonadales; Resistance; Gene; Biofilm; Microorganism culture; Initiation factor σ; Tosylchloramide sodium; Bacteria; Pseudomonadaceae; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Biocide; Hydrogen Peroxides; Non-programmatic
• ISSN: 1364-5072; 1365-2672
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2000.00995.x

The role of two sigma factors, AlgT and RpoS, in mediating Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm resistance to hydrogen peroxide and monochloramine was investigated. Two knock out mutant strains, SS24 (rpoS–) and PAO6852 (algT–), were compared with a wild type, PAO1, in their susceptibility to monochloramine and hydrogen peroxide. When grown as biofilms on alginate gel beads (mean untreated areal cell density 3·7 ± 0·27 log cfu cm−2) or on glass slides (mean untreated areal cell density 7·6 ± 0·9 log cfu cm−2), wild type bacteria exhibited reduced susceptibility to both antimicrobial agents in comparison with suspended cells. On alginate gel beads, all strains were equally resistant to monochloramine. rpoS– and algT– gel bead biofilms of 24‐hour‐old were more susceptible to hydrogen peroxide disinfection than were biofilms formed by PAO1. Biofilm disinfection rate coefficients for the two mutant strains were statistically indistinguishable from planktonic disinfection rate coefficients, indicating complete loss of biofilm resistance. While 48‐hour‐old algT– biofilm cells became resistant to hydrogen peroxide, 48‐hour‐old rpoS– biofilm cells remained highly susceptible. With the thicker biofilms formed on glass coupons, all strains were equally resistant to both hydrogen peroxide and monochloramine. It is concluded that while RpoS and AlgT may play a transient role in protecting thin biofilms from hydrogen peroxide, these sigma factors do not mediate resistance to monochloramine and do not contribute significantly to the hydrogen peroxide resistance of thick biofilms.