Predation among microorganisms: A huge potential of interspecies dependencies

Abstract

There are many interactions between species (including bacteria) in the environment. One of them is predation, which always leads to the death of a prey. Described in this review Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (Deltaproteobacteria) and Micavibrio aeruginosavorus (Alfaproteobacteria) are uniflagellate, rod shaped and curved obligate predators of Gram-negative bacteria. Both species belong to the group of BALOs (Bdellovibrio and like organisms). B. bacteriovorus use periplasmic predatory strategy and M. aeruginosavorus are epibiotic hunters. BALOs have found application in both medicine in combating microorganisms responsible for food poisoning and outside of medicine (agriculture and food) as plant protection products and as measures used to prevent the spoiling of food. As a result of searching for effective therapies in the treatment of infections caused by drug-resistant strains of bacteria, it has been shown that predators feed on pathogenic bacteria without showing immunogenicity to humans. Predatory bacteria are able to destroy the multi – and single-species biofilms. Recent studies have indicated the possibility of B. bacteriovorus to destroy the biofilm formed by Staphylococcus aureus. It is postulated that a double predatory strategy of B. bacteriovorus and harmless BALOs towards mammalian cells could be used to treat infections in vivo, particularly in those cases when standard therapy fails.