Behavior of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains on the nanopillar topography of dragonfly (Pantala flavescens) wing under flow conditions

Bacterial associated infection is a threat in the medical field. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the major causative agents for nosocomial infection, has developed resistance to almost all the classes of antibiotics. Recently, nanopillar-like structures were identified on the wings of insects such as cicada and dragonfly. Nanopillars both on natural surfaces and those mimicked on artificial surfaces were reported to possess bactericidal activity against a wide range of bacteria. An earlier study reported strain specific variation in the viability of P. aeruginosa on the nanopillar topography of a dragonfly wing under static condition. Here, we report the behavior of P. aeruginosa strains on a dragonfly wing under hydrodynamic conditions. The results of the study indicated that, under hydrodynamic conditions, P. aeruginosa PAO1 was attached in higher numbers to the wing surface than P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 but killed in lower numbers. The plausible reason was identified to be the masking of nanopillars by the secreted extracellular polysaccharide. The shear rate of 1.0 s(-1) showed a relatively higher bactericidal effect among the three tested shear rates. Published under an exclusive license by the AVS.

Automated summary

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has developed resistance to antibiotics, while nanopillar-like structures on insect wings may have bactericidal activity. The behavior of different strains of P. aeruginosa on dragonfly wings under hydrodynamic conditions varies, with the masking of nanopillars by secreted extracellular polysaccharide possibly being a reason for the differences observed.