The Coexistence of Bacterial Species Restructures Biofilm Architecture and Increases Tolerance to Antimicrobial Agents

Chronic infections caused by polymicrobial biofilms are often difficult to treat effectively, partially due to the elevated tolerance of polymicrobial biofilms to antimicrobial treatments. It is known that interspecific interactions influence polymicrobial biofilm formation. However, the underlying role of the coexistence of bacterial species in polymicrobial biofilm formation is not fully understood. Here, we investigated the effect of the coexistence of Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella enteritidis on triple-species biofilm formation. Our results demonstrated that the coexistence of these three species enhanced the biofilm biomass and led to restructuring of the biofilm into a tower-like architecture. Furthermore, the proportions of polysaccharides, proteins, and eDNAs in the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition of the triple-species biofilm were significantly changed compared to those in the E. faecalis mono-species biofilm. Finally, we analyzed the transcriptomic profile of E. faecalis in response to coexistence with E. coli and S. enteritidis in the triple-species biofilm. The results suggested that E. faecalis established dominance and restructured the triple-species biofilm by enhancing nutrient transport and biosynthesis of amino acids, upregulating central carbon metabolism, manipulating the microenvironment through “biological weapons,” and activating versatile stress response regulators. Together, the results of this pilot study reveal the nature of E. faecalis-harboring triple-species biofilms with a static biofilm model and provide novel insights for further understanding interspecies interactions and the clinical treatment of polymicrobial biofilms. IMPORTANCE Bacterial biofilms possess distinct community properties that affect various aspects of our daily lives. In particular, biofilms exhibit increased tolerance to chemical disinfectants, antimicrobial agents, and host immune responses. Multispecies biofilms are undoubtedly the dominant form of biofilms in nature. Thus, there is a pressing need for more research directed at delineating the nature of multispecies biofilms and the effects of the properties on the development and survival of the biofilm community. Here, we address the effects of the coexistence of Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enteritidis on triple-species biofilm formation with a static model. In combination with transcriptomic analyses, this pilot study explores the potential underlying mechanisms that lead to the dominance of E. faecalis in triple-species biofilms. Our findings provide novel insights into the nature of triple-species biofilms and indicate that the composition of multispecies biofilms should be a key consideration when determining antimicrobial treatments.