FIG. 1.

Bacillus subtilis isolated from IP of the patient with anastomotic leak is characterized by a leaking phenotype. (A) Identification of collagenolytic bacteria on skim milk plate. Red arrow depicts a massive clearance zone surrounded by bacterial colonies on CNA side of the plate. (B) Confirmation of collagenolytic activity of the isolate identified as Bacillus subtilis using fluorescein-labeled gelatin. Enterococcus faecalis strain E2 included as a control. (C) Zymography image with pro- and active recombinant MMP9 bands demonstrating the ability of Bacillus subtilis to activate the host extracellular matrix metalloprotease. IP = intraperitoneal fluid; CNA = colistin-nalidixic acid; RFU = relative fluorescence units; OD = optical density; rMMP9 = recombinant human proenzyme matrix metalloprotease-9; MMP9 = matrix metalloprotease-9; SD = standard diet; WD = Western-type diet. Color image is available online.