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Study of the growth of Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and their mixtures by microcalorimetry

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Abstract

In a majority of environments, microbes live as interacting communities. Microbial communities are composed of a mix of microbes with often unknown functions. Polymicrobial diseases represent the clinical and pathological manifestations induced by the presence of multiple infectious agents. These diseases are difficult to diagnose and treat and usually are more severe than monomicrobial infections. The interaction relationship between Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli was researched using a Calvet calorimeter. Three mixtures of both bacteria were prepared in the following proportions: 20 + 80 % (0.2 mL E. faecalis + 0.8 mL E. coli), 50 + 50 % (0.5 mL E. faecalis + 0.5 mL E. coli) and 80 + 20 % (0.8 mL E. faecalis + 0.2 mL E. coli). Experiments were carried out at concentration of 106 CFU mL−1 and a constant temperature of 309.65 K. The differences in shape of graph of E. faecalis, E. coli and their mixtures were compared. Also, the thermokinetic parameters such as detection time (t d), growth constant (k), generation time (G) and the amount of heat released (Q) were calculated.

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Acknowledgements

We thank María Perfecta Salgado Gonzalez and Sofia Baz Rodríguez for their collaboration with the technical measures. We are also thankful for the financial support provided by the project EM 2012/141 by “Xunta de Galicia” and the project FIS 2011-23322 funded by Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain. All these projects are co-financed with FEDER funds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Physics, Lagoas Marcosende, University of Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain

    C. Vazquez, M. M. Mato & J. L. Legido

  2. Pharmacy Service, Vigo University Hospital, Pizarro no 22, 36204, Vigo, Spain

    N. Lago & L. Esarte

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  1. C. Vazquez
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  2. N. Lago
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  3. M. M. Mato
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  4. L. Esarte
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  5. J. L. Legido
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Correspondence to C. Vazquez.

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Vazquez, C., Lago, N., Mato, M.M. et al. Study of the growth of Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and their mixtures by microcalorimetry. J Therm Anal Calorim 125, 739–744 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-015-5203-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-015-5203-y

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