In vitro and in vivo modeling of Vibrio cholerae biofilms

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Abstract

Studies of water bodies in India and Bangladesh have shown that removal of large particles from water reduces the incidence of cholera. Detection of aggregated communities of Vibrio cholerae (biofilms) provided evidence of their role in cholera epidemiology and stimulated investigation of biofilm forms. Summarizing available data in this field is particularly relevant because there are no unified methods for assessing biofilm formation and quantitatively determining the microorganisms comprising biofilms. The work aimed to evaluate methodological approaches to investigating biofilm formation by V. cholerae, focusing on their detection and reproducibility in laboratories of different levels.

Models (in vitro, in vivo, and microcosm), as well as methods for biofilm detection, were analyzed. Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, the Russian Science Citation Index, and other sources were used to prepare the review. Data were searched using the following keywords: Vibrio cholerae, биоплёнка (biofilm), методы (methods), микроскопия (microscopy), микрокосмы (microcosms), молекулярно-генетические (molecular genetic). The review included 63 original articles, 3 review articles, and 1 monograph.

The review summarizes current concepts regarding the process of V. cholerae biofilm formation. Methods for modeling on abiotic and biotic substrates, including field conditions, approaches to biofilm detection, and the use of in vivo methods to assess infectivity of biofilm cultures, are described. Particular attention is paid to the role of molecular genetic methods. According to the published data, the most effective strategy for studying biofilm formation is an integrated approach combining microbiologic, microscopic, and molecular genetic methods. The review also addresses current challenges and promising research directions in this field.

The analysis of current issues and research prospects in V. cholerae biofilms, including recent molecular genetic methods, demonstrates that investigation of biofilms formed by vibrios using a range of methods will allow deeper understanding of the general principles of bacterial coexistence in communities. This, in turn, will contribute to more effective strategies for combating infections, including cholera.

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About the authors

Svetlana V. Titova

Research Institute for Plague Control

Author for correspondence.
Email: titova_sv@antiplague.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7831-841X
SPIN-code: 5695-2103

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Sergei O. Vodopyanov

Research Institute for Plague Control

Email: serge100v@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4336-0439
SPIN-code: 4672-9310

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Elena A. Menshikova

Research Institute for Plague Control

Email: menshikova_ea@antiplague.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6003-4283
SPIN-code: 6367-4404

Cand. Sci. (Biology)

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

Nadezhda A. Selyanskaya

Research Institute for Plague Control

Email: selyanskaya_na@antiplague.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0008-4705
SPIN-code: 7920-3340

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Rostov-on-Don

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