Catalase A is involved in the response to photooxidative stress in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the etiological agent of systemic and skin infections that are often difficult to treat. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and, more recently, phototherapy (PT), are emerging among antimicrobial treatments to be combined with antibiotics. Visible light, either alone or combined with a photosensitizer (PS), elicits photooxidative stress that induces microbial death. The response of bacteria to phototherapy seems to involve the antioxidant machinery. This study relies on the effects of detoxifying catalase A (KatA) in response to PDT and PT-induced photooxidative stress. Methods The photo- and photodynamic inactivation experiments have been targeted at P. aeruginosa PAO1 and its isogenic derivative katA− mutant. The microorganisms were irradiated by a wide-spectrum halogen-tungsten lamp or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Two photosensitizers, Tetrakis-(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)-21H, 23porphine, tetra-p-tosylate (TMPyP) porphyrin and Toluidine Blue O (TBO), were applied as part of the photodynamic approach. Results P. aeruginosa katA− mutant was more sensitive than wild-type strain PAO1 to wide-spectrum light and blue LED (464 nm) treatments. The complementation of KatA, in katA− mutant, restored the light response of wild-type PAO1. Upon TBO treatment and irradiation by visible light (halogen lamp or LED), the sensitivity of katA− mutant was significant higher (p = 0.028 and p = 0.045, respectively) than that of the PAO1 strain. Conclusions This study provides the first description of KatA in the response to photooxidative stress induced by photo- and photodynamic therapy.