Comparative proteomic investigation unravels the pathobiology of Mycobacterium fortuitum biofilm.

Biofilm formation by Mycobacterium fortuitum causes serious threats to human health due to its increased contribution to nosocomial infections. In this study, the first comprehensive global proteome analysis of M. fortuitum was reported under planktonic and biofilm growth states. A label-free Q Exactive Quadrupole-Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry analysis was performed on the protein lysates. The differentially abundant proteins were functionally characterized and re-annotated using Blast2GO and CELLO2GO. Comparative analysis of the proteins among two growth states provided insights into the phenotypic switch, and fundamental pathways associated with pathobiology of M. fortuitum biofilm, such as lipid biosynthesis and quorum-sensing. Interaction network generated by the STRING database revealed associations between proteins that endure M. fortuitum during biofilm growth state. Hypothetical proteins were also studied to determine their functional alliance with the biofilm phenotype. CARD, VFDB, and PATRIC analysis further showed that the proteins upregulated in M. fortuitum biofilm exhibited antibiotic resistance, pathogenesis, and virulence. Heatmap and correlation analysis provided the biomarkers associated with the planktonic and biofilm growth of M. fortuitum. Proteome data was validated by qPCR analysis. Overall, the study provides insights into previously unexplored biochemical pathways that can be targeted by novel inhibitors, either for shortened treatment duration or for eliminating biofilm of M. fortuitum and related nontuberculous mycobacterial pathogens. KEY POINTS: • Proteomic analyses of M. fortuitum reveals novel biofilm markers. • Acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase acts as the phenotype transition switch. • The study offers drug targets to combat M. fortuitum biofilm infections.

Characterization of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria by neutron radiography.

The genus Mycobacterium shares many characteristics with Corynebacterium and Actinomyces genera, among which the genomic guanine plus cytosine content and the production of long branched-chain fatty acids, known as mycolic acids are enhanced. Growth rate and optimal temperature of mycobacteria are variable. The genus comprises more than 140 known species; however Mycobacterium fortuitum, a fast growing nontuberculous mycobacterium, is clinically significant, because it has been associated to several lesions following surgery procedures such as liposuction, silicone breast and pacemaker implants, exposure to prosthetic materials besides sporadic lesions in the skin, soft tissues and rarely lungs. The objective of the present study is to reduce the time necessary for M. fortuitum characterization based on its morphology and the use of the neutron radiography technique substituting the classical biochemical assays. We also aim to confirm the utility of dendrimers as boron carriers. The samples were sterilized through conventional protocols using 10% formaldehyde. In the incubation process, two solutions with different molar ratios (10:1 and 20:1) of sodium borate and PAMAM G4 dendrimer and also pure sodium borate were used. After doping and sterilization procedures, the samples were deposited on CR-39 sheets, irradiated with a 4.6×10(5) n/cm(2)s thermal neutron flux for 30 min, from the J-9 irradiation channel of the Argonauta IEN/CNEN reactor. The images registered in the CR-39 were visualized in a Nikon E400 optical transmission microscope and captured by a Nikon Coolpix 995 digital camera. Developing the nuclear tracks registered in the CR-39 allowed a 1000× enlargement of mycobacterium images, facilitating their characterization, the use of more sophisticated equipment not being necessary. The use of neutron radiography technique reduced the time necessary for characterization. Doping with PAMAM dendrimer improved the visualization of NTM in neutron radiography images.

Biofilm formation and biocide susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium marinum.

The ability of non-tuberculous mycobacteria to form biofilms may allow for their increased resistance to currently used biocides in medical and industrial settings. This study examines the biofilm growth of Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium marinum, using the MBEC trade mark assay system, and compares the susceptibility of planktonic and biofilm cells to commercially available biocides. With scanning electron microscopy, both M. fortuitum and M. marinum form biofilms that are morphologically distinct. Biocide susceptibility testing suggested that M. fortuitum biofilms displayed increased resistance over their planktonic state. This is contrasted with M. marinum biofilms, which were generally as or more susceptible over their planktonic state.

Biofilm formation by the rapidly growing mycobacterial species Mycobacterium fortuitum.

Rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) are found in soil and diverse aquatic environments. Two species, Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonae, are associated with disease and are difficult to eradicate. Biofilm formation may be a contributing factor to their mode of transmission and their resistance to antimicrobial agents. We investigated the ability of the RGM species M. fortuitum to colonise surfaces using a modified Robbins device. M. fortuitum formed dense biofilms within 48 h. The high numbers of sessile organisms recovered and the swiftness of colonisation suggest that M. fortuitum readily forms biofilms. These results suggest a novel mechanism for mycobacteria in evading antimicrobial treatment and also indicate that biofilms should be considered possible sites for mycobacterial contamination.