Dual species biofilms are enhanced by metabolite cross-feeding

Trends Microbiol. 2022 Sep;30(9):809-811. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.07.003. Epub 2022 Jul 20.

Abstract

Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus are frequently co-isolated from biofilm-associated infections. A new study by Ch'ng et al. revealed that S. aureus-released heme feeds E. faecalis respiration, augmenting E. faecalis growth and overall biofilm biomass. Their finding further supports the theory that metabolite cross-feeding is a critical aspect shaping polymicrobial biofilm interactions.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Biofilms
  • Enterococcus faecalis
  • Humans
  • Staphylococcal Infections*
  • Staphylococcus aureus*