肠球菌表面蛋白基因esp与生物被膜形成关系的研究进展

The progress of studies on relationship between esp gene and ability of biofilm formation in enterococci

肠球菌逐渐成为院内感染的重要病原菌,与多种置入医疗器械所引起的生物被膜相关感染有关。肠球菌表面蛋白Esp是一种具有黏附作用的表面蛋白。肠球菌生物被膜的形成受多种因素调控,虽然肠球菌表面蛋白基因esp不是生物被膜形成的必需因素,但esp的表达能促进细菌对无机表面黏附及生物被膜中细菌间的黏附,从而使生物被膜更加稳定和增强。现就对肠球菌生物被膜形成和esp基因的关系作一综述。

Enterococcal strains have emerged as the leading organisms causing nosocomial infections. Enterococci have been associated with biofilms on various kinds of indwelling medical devices. Esp was found to promote biofilm formation, thus suggesting an adhesive role for this protein. Levels of esp expression on the surface of enterococci are quantitatively correlated with primary adherence and biofilm formation under different growth conditions.