AUTHOR=Misra Tripti , Tare Meghana , Jha Prabhat Nath 

TITLE=Insights Into the Dynamics and Composition of Biofilm Formed by Environmental Isolate of Enterobacter cloacae

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.877060

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2022.877060

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Bacterial biofilms are clinically admissible and illustrate an influential role in infections, particularly those related to the implant of medical devices. The characterization of biofilms is important to understand the etiology of the diseases. <italic>Enterobacter cloacae</italic> are known for causing infections by forming biofilms on various abiotic surfaces, such as medical devices. However, a detailed characterization in terms of morphology and the molecular composition of the formed biofilms by this bacterium is sparse. The present study provides insights into the biofilm formation of <italic>E. cloacae</italic> SBP-8, an environmental isolate, on various surfaces. We performed assays to understand the biofilm-forming capability of the SBP-8 strain and characterized the adhering potential of the bacteria on the surface of different medical devices (foley latex catheter, enteral feeding tube, and glass) at different temperatures. We found that medical devices exhibited strong colonization by <italic>E. cloacae</italic> SBP-8. Using <underline>f</underline>ield <underline>e</underline>mission-<underline>s</underline>canning <underline>e</underline>lectron <underline>m</underline>icroscopy (FE-SEM) studies, we characterized the biofilms as a function of time. It indicated stronger biofilm formation in terms of cellular density and EPS production on the surfaces. Further, we characterized the biofilm employing <underline>s</underline>urface<underline>-e</underline>nhanced <underline>R</underline>aman <underline>s</underline>pectroscopy (SERS) and identified the vast heterogenic nature of the biofilm-forming molecules. Interestingly, we also found that this heterogeneity varies from the initial stages of biofilm formation until the maturation and dispersion. Our studies provide insights into biofilm composition over a period of time, which might aid in understanding the biofilm dispersion phases, to enhance the presently available treatment strategies.</p>