8 documents found, page 1 of 1
Current microbiological challenges in drinking water
Afonso, Ana C.; Saavedra, Maria J.; Gomes, Inês B.; Simões, Manuel; Simões, Lúcia ChavesDrinking water (DW) is paramount to human health, serving as a cornerstone of public health worldwide. However, DW is not a sterile product and can harbor a large diversity of microorganisms, including pathogens. This comprehensive review addresses the critical importance of DW for human health and the ongoing challenges posed by microbial pathogens and biofilms in water distribution systems. It further analyze...
The role of the proteosurfaceome and exoproteome in bacterial coaggregation
Afonso, Ana C.; Saavedra, Maria J.; Simões, Manuel; Simões, Lúcia ChavesBacterial coaggregation is a critical process in multispecies biofilm formation, driven by specific molecular interactions that facilitate the adhesion and aggregation of bacterial cells. These interactions are essential for the development and persistence of complex microbial communities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the roles of the proteosurfaceome and exoproteome in bacterial coaggregati...
Coaggregation dynamics in drinking water biofilms and implications for chlorine...
Afonso, Ana C.; Gomes, Inês B.; Massano, Francisca; Saavedra, Maria J.; Simões, Manuel; Simões, Lúcia ChavesBiofilms in drinking water (DW) systems persistently challenge traditional disinfection methods due to intricate microbial interactions, with coaggregation playing a crucial role in forming multispecies biofilms. This study examined the implications of coaggregation on tolerance towards sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) disinfection. Dual-species biofilms were formed for seven days on polyvinyl chloride coupons, comp...
Bacterial coaggregation’s role in water disinfection resistance
Afonso, Ana C.; Gomes, Inês B.; J. Saavedra, Maria; Simões, Lúcia C.; Simões, ManuelBackground: In the realm of water treatment and public health, the interplay between microorganisms and disinfection processes represents a constant and dynamic challenge [1]. As society strives to ensure the availability of safe and clean water, understanding the factors contributing to bacterial resistance to water disinfection emerges as a critical area of research [1]. Among these factors, the phenomen...
Elucidating bacterial coaggregation through a physicochemical and imaging surfa...
Afonso, Ana C.; Botting, Jack; Gomes, Inês B.; Saavedra, Maria J.; Simões, Lúcia Chaves; Liu, Jun; Simões, ManuelBacterial coaggregation is a highly specific type of cell-cell interaction, well-documented among oral bacteria, and involves specific characteristics of the cell surface of the coaggregating strains. However, the understanding of the mechanisms promoting coaggregation in aquatic systems remains limited. This gap is critical to address, given the broad implications of coaggregation for multispecies biofilm form...
Drinking-water isolated Delftia acidovorans selectively coaggregates with partn...
Afonso, Ana C.; Gomes, Inês B.; Saavedra, Maria José; Simões, Lúcia Chaves; Simões, ManuelCoaggregation plays an important role in the development of multispecies biofilms in different environments, often serving as an active bridge between biofilm members and other organisms that, in their absence, would not integrate the sessile structure. The ability of bacteria to coaggregate has been reported for a limited number of species and strains. In this study, 38 bacterial strains isolated from drinking...
Biofilms in diabetic foot ulcers: impact, risk factors and control strategies
Afonso, Ana C.; Oliveira, Diana; Saavedra, Maria José; Borges, Anabela; Simões, ManuelDiabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication from diabetes mellitus, with a huge economic, social and psychological impact on the patients life. One of the main reasons why DFUs are so difficult to heal is related to the presence of biofilms. Biofilms promote wound inflammation and a remarkable lack of response to host defences/treatment options, which can lead to disease progression and chronicity. I...
Bacterial coaggregation in aquatic systems
Afonso, Ana C.; Gomes, Inês B.; Saavedra, Maria José; Giaouris, Efstathios; Simões, Lúcia Chaves; Simões, Manuel LopesThe establishment of a sessile community is believed to occur in a sequence of steps where genetically distinct bacteria can become attached to partner cells via specific molecules, in a process known as coaggregation. The presence of bacteria with the ability to autoaggregate and coaggregate has been described for diverse aquatic systems, particularly freshwater, drinking water, wastewater, and marine water. I...