Arginine impacts aggregation, biofilm formation, and antibiotic susceptibility in Enterococcus faecalis.

According to a preprint abstract, researchers have found that the amino acid arginine has an impact on the growth and behavior of Enterococcus faecalis, a bacterium found in the human gastrointestinal tract. The study showed that arginine decreases biofilm production and causes changes in gene expression related to metabolism and polysaccharide synthesis. Additionally, growth in arginine increases aggregation of E. faecalis and reduces susceptibility to certain antibiotics. This research provides insight into how the presence of arginine in biological environments affects the physiology and virulence of E. faecalis and surrounding microbes. Please note that this study has not yet undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]