Bacillaene Mediates the Inhibitory Effect of Bacillus subtilis on Campylobacter jejuni Biofilms
Andi Erega, Polonca Štefanič, Iztok Dogša, Tjaša Danevčič, Katarina Šimunović, Anja Klančnik, Sonja Smole Možina, Ines Mandić-Mulec
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is an intestinal commensal in animals (including broiler chickens) but also the most frequent cause of bacterial foodborne infection in humans. This pathogen forms biofilms which enhance survival of C. jejuni in food processing and thus threaten human health. Probiotic bacteria represent a potential alternative in the prevention and control of foodborne infections. The beneficial bacterium Bacillus subtilis has an excellent probiotic potential to reduce C. jejuni in the animal gastrointestinal tract. However, data on the effect of B. subtilis on C. jejuni biofilms are scarce. Our study shows that the B. subtilis natural isolate PS-216 prevents adhesion to the abiotic surfaces and the development of submerged C. jejuni biofilm during coculture and destroys the preestablished C. jejuni biofilm. These insights are important for development of novel applications of B. subtilis that will reduce the use of antibiotics in human and animal health and increase productivity in animal breeding.