Microbiome-mediated fructose depletion restricts murine gut colonization by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus

Autores de IIS La Fe

• Leonor Puchades Carrasco

  Autor

• Antonio Pineda Lucena

  Autor

Participantes ajenos a IIS La Fe

• Isaac S.
• Flor-Duro A.
• Carruana G.
• Quirant A.
• Lopez-Nogueroles M.
• Garcia-Garcera M.
• Ubeda C.

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are a major threat to public health. MDRO infections, including those caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), frequently begin by colonization of the intestinal tract, a crucial step that is impaired by the intestinal microbiota. However, the specific members of the microbiota that suppress MDRO colonization and the mechanisms of such protection are largely unknown. Here, using metagenomics and mouse models that mimic the patients’ exposure to antibiotics, we identified commensal bacteria associated with protection against VRE colonization. We further found a consortium of five strains that was sufficient to restrict VRE gut colonization in antibiotic treated mice. Transcriptomics in combination with targeted metabolomics and in vivo assays indicated that the bacterial consortium inhibits VRE growth through nutrient depletion, specifically by reducing the levels of fructose, a carbohydrate that boosts VRE growth in vivo. Finally, in vivo RNA-seq analysis of each strain of the consortium in combination with ex vivo and in vivo assays demonstrated that a single bacterium (Olsenella sp.) could recapitulate the effect of the consortium. Our results indicate that nutrient depletion by specific commensals can reduce VRE intestinal colonization, which represents a novel non-antibiotic based strategy to prevent infections caused by this multidrug-resistant organism. © 2022, The Author(s).

Keywords

• Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Fructose; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Mice; Microbiota; Vancomycin; Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci; 1 phosphofructokinase; ampicillin; ceftriaxone; ciprofloxacin; clindamycin; fructokinase; fructose; gentamicin; neomycin; spectinomycin; vancomycin; antiinfective agent; fructose; vancomycin; antibiotic resistance; bacterium; digestive system; infectious disease; public health; sugar; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; antibiotic therapy; Article; bacterial colonization; bacterial growth; bacterial strain; commensal; controlled study; depletion; dysbiosis; Enterococcus faecium; Enterococcus faecium infection; ex vivo study; female; fructose metabolism; in vivo study; infection prevention; intestine flora; metabolomics; metagenomics; microbial community; microbial consortium; mouse; nonhuman; nutrient content; Olsenella; RNA sequencing; transcriptomics; vancomycin resistant Enterococcus; vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus inf