Mathematical modelling of the antibiotic-induced morphological transition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

PLoS Computational Biology
Chloe SpaldingSara Jabbari

Abstract

Here we formulate a mechanistic mathematical model to describe the growth dynamics of P. aeruginosa in the presence of the β-lactam antibiotic meropenem. The model is mechanistic in the sense that carrying capacity is taken into account through the dynamics of nutrient availability rather than via logistic growth. In accordance with our experimental results we incorporate a sub-population of cells, differing in morphology from the normal bacillary shape of P. aeruginosa bacteria, which we assume have immunity from direct antibiotic action. By fitting this model to experimental data we obtain parameter values that give insight into the growth of a bacterial population that includes different cell morphologies. The analysis of two parameters sets, that produce different long term behaviour, allows us to manipulate the system theoretically in order to explore the advantages of a shape transition that may potentially be a mechanism that allows P. aeruginosa to withstand antibiotic effects. Our results suggest that inhibition of this shape transition may be detrimental to bacterial growth and thus suggest that the transition may be a defensive mechanism implemented by bacterial machinery. In addition to this we provide strong theore...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 25, 2020·Microbial Drug Resistance : MDR : Mechanisms, Epidemiology, and Disease·Michał MajchrzakWioletta Adamus-Białek
Aug 4, 2020·PLoS Computational Biology·Andy HoyleAndrew P Desbois
Sep 8, 2019·Drug Resistance Updates : Reviews and Commentaries in Antimicrobial and Anticancer Chemotherapy·João BotelhoLuísa Peixe
Mar 2, 2021·Bulletin of Mathematical Biology·Christopher W LanyonRachel L Gomes
Apr 12, 2021·Journal of Theoretical Biology·Sara M CliftonZoi Rapti

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
fluorescence microscopy

Software Mentioned

Fiji
fminsearch
MATLAB

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