Role of interspecies interactions in dual-species biofilms developed in vitro by uropathogens isolated from polymicrobial urinary catheter-associated bacteriuria

Here, uropathogen interactions in dual-species biofilms were studied. The dual-species associations selected based on their prevalence in clinical settings were Klebsiella pneumoniae – Escherichia coli , E. coli – Enterococcus faecalis , K. pneumoniae – E. faecalis , and K. pneumoniae – Proteus mirabilis .

All species developed single-species biofilms in artificial urine. The ability of K. pneumoniae to form biofilms was not affected by E. coli or E. faecalis co-inoculation, but was impaired by P. mirabilis . Conversely, P. mirabilis established a biofilm when co-inoculated with K. pneumoniae .