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Indole and Derivatives Modulate Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Tolerance of Klebsiella pneumoniae

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Abstract

Intercellular communication is a crucial process for the multicellular community in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Indole has been recognized as a new member of the signal molecules which enables the regulated control of various bacterial phenotypes. To elucidate the inter-species relationship among enteric microorganisms via indole signaling, Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) culture was treated with indole solution and examined for the pathogenicity by using various phenotypic tests. Both synthetic and naturally-produced indole preparations had no deteriorating effect on growth and autoaggregative capacity of KP. The results showed that biofilm formation of carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae (KP-S) was clearly induced by indole exposure (≈ 2–10 folds), whereas no significant difference was observed in the resistant counterpart. In addition, the tolerance to β-lactam antibiotics of KP was altered upon exposure to indole and/or derivatives assessed by Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion test. Taken together, our finding indicates the functional role of indole in changing or modulating pathogenic behaviors of other bacteria.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the research Grants from the Faculty of Medical Technology (Grant No. MET6204008S) and Prince of Songkla University (Grant No. MET601266S). Thanks to Prof. Dr. Robert S. Philips and Microbiology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University for kindly providing an indole-negative E. coli [E. coli BL21(DE3) tn5:tnaA] and K. pneumoniae isolates, respectively.

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  1. Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand

    Thanachaporn Yaikhan, Manatsanan Chuerboon, Natchapol Tippayatham, Nateekarn Atimuttikul, Hansuk Buncherd & Natta Tansila

  2. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand

    Taiyeebah Nuidate

  3. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand

    Mingkwan Yingkajorn

  4. Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand

    Aung Win Tun

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  1. Thanachaporn Yaikhan
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Yaikhan, T., Chuerboon, M., Tippayatham, N. et al. Indole and Derivatives Modulate Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Tolerance of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Indian J Microbiol 59, 460–467 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12088-019-00830-0

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