A Combined Experimental and Mathematical Study of The Evolution of Microbial Community Composed of Interacting Staphylococcus Strains

Abstract

The emergence of the phenomenon known as ABR (anti-bacterial resistance), is the result of the gradual decrease in the efficacy of antibiotics and the increase in the cost of producing new antibiotics. Hence, alternative solutions to prevent the spread of the pathogenic species are required. Here we present a combined experimental and mathematical study of the evolution of microbial communities. The aim was to investigate the role of skin bacteria invasion and competition in limiting pathogenic species growth and colonisation, and to determine and reveal factors and conditions that alter and influence the dynamics of interactions between species. The focus in this study was Staphylococcus aureus as it is considered a major human pathogen that shows colonisation traits distinct from the more abundant skin antimicrobial-secreting residents, S. epidermidis and S. hominis. The method adopted when conducting this study was based on two approaches: experimental and mathematical. The novelty and significance of this study lies in the fact that, unlike that found in a previous studies the manipulation of spatial structures, the level of toxicity, and initial frequencies did not prevent the emergence of resistance in the evolved S. aureus populations. The evolved S. aureus populations were able to dominate their opponents regardless of the environmental conditions. However, it was found that the level of toxicity and environmental regulations made it harder for evolved S. aureus populations to recover.