Staphylococcus epidermidis is a Gram-positive saprophytic bacterium found in the microaerobic/anaerobic layers of the skin that becomes a health hazard when it is carried across the skin through punctures or wounds. Pathogenicity is enhanced by the ability of S. epidermidis to associate into biofilms, where it avoids attacks by the host and antibiotics. To test the effect of oxygen on metabolism and biofilm generation, cells were cultured at different oxygen concentrations ([O2]). As [O2] decreased, S. epidermidis metabolism went from respiratory to fermentative. Remarkably, the rate of growth decreased at low [O2] while a high concentration of ATP ([ATP]) was kept. Under hypoxic conditions bacteria associated into biofilms. Aerobic activity sensitized the cell to hydrogen peroxide-mediated damage. In the presence of metabolic inhibitors, biofilm formation decreased. It is suggested that at low [O2] S. epidermidis limits its growth and develops the ability to form biofilms.

中文翻译：

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表皮葡萄球菌在呼吸或发酵条件下的代谢，ATP产生和生物膜生成。

表皮葡萄球菌是革兰氏阳性腐生细菌，存在于皮肤的微需氧/厌氧层中，当通过穿刺或伤口穿过皮肤时会危害健康。表皮链球菌结合生物膜的能力增强了致病性，避免了宿主和抗生素的攻击。为了测试氧气对代谢和生物膜生成的影响，在不同的氧气浓度（[O2]）下培养细胞。随着[O2]的降低，表皮葡萄球菌的代谢从呼吸作用变为发酵作用。值得注意的是，在[O2]较低的情况下，生长速率下降，而ATP（[ATP]）的浓度保持较高。在低氧条件下，细菌会结合到生物膜中。有氧活动使细胞对过氧化氢介导的损伤敏感。在存在代谢抑制剂的情况下，生物膜形成减少。建议在低[O2]表皮葡萄球菌的情况下限制其生长并发展形成生物膜的能力。