Abstract
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and Micavibrio aeruginosavorus are Gram-negative proteobacteria that are obligate predators of other Gram-negative bacteria and are considered potential alternatives to antibiotics. Most studies focusing on predatory bacteria have been performed in vitro, thus the effect of predatory bacteria on a live host, including the impact on the ecology of the native microbiota, has yet to be fully examined. In this study, intrarectal inoculations of Sprague-Dawley rats with predatory bacteria were performed. Additionally, feces were collected for seven days post-inoculation to determine the effect on gut bacterial diversity. Rat colonic tissue exhibited no abnormal histopathological effects due to predatory bacteria. A modest increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines was measured in the colons of rats inoculated with predatory bacteria by 24 and 48 hours, with all but IL-13 returning to baseline by seven days. V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal DNA demonstrated minimal shifts in taxonomic representation over the week due to predatory bacteria. Changes in bacterial populations due to exposure to B. bacteriovorus are predicted to contribute to health, however, an overgrowth of Prevotella was observed due to exposure to M. aeruginosavorus. This study further addresses safety concerns associated with the potential use of predatory bacteria to treat infections.
Highlights
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and Micavibrio aeruginosavorus are Gram-negative proteobacteria that are obligate predators of other Gram-negative bacteria and are considered potential alternatives to antibiotics
At seven days post-inoculation, all 192 rats that were inoculated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or with predatory bacteria over the course of the experiment were healthy and showed no adverse effects
With the limited amount of new antibiotics being developed, scientists are looking for innovative ways to combat bacterial infection[2], one of which is predatory bacteria
Summary
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and Micavibrio aeruginosavorus are Gram-negative proteobacteria that are obligate predators of other Gram-negative bacteria and are considered potential alternatives to antibiotics. Predatory bacteria present several advantages that promote their potential use to combat bacterial infection The effectiveness of both B. bacteriovorus and M. aeruginosavorus to limit the growth of key human pathogens, including those causing MDR infections[11], in vitro is well documented[3,12,13,14]. It was recently demonstrated that intranasal or intravenous inoculation of high doses of either B. bacteriovorus or M. aeruginosavorus in mice resulted in no apparent pathological effects and induced a modest immune response that returned to physiological levels by 24 hours post-inoculation[20] Both predators were not detected in animal tissues by 48 hours post-inoculation, potentially removed by innate immune mechanisms[20]. Control bacterial populations, and because evidence has suggested that B. bacteriovorus may contribute to health by being a member of the healthy human gut microbiota[24]
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