{
  "abstract": "Background: Conventional bactericidal antibiotics often fail to eradicate Escherichia coli O157:H7 ( E. coli O157) infections due to biofilm-mediated antimicrobial tolerance, and monotherapy can inadvertently drive resistance selection. This study aimed to identify compounds capable of modulating LuxS/AI-2-related phenotypes and to evaluate their potential to disrupt biofilms and enhance antibiotic efficacy against E. coli O157.\n\nMethods: The effects of 4-HC on biofilm formation, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) biosynthesis, and flagella-mediated motility were assessed in vitro. Antibiotic potentiation was evaluated through combination assays across multiple antibiotic classes. In vivo efficacy was tested in a murine systemic infection model, with qualitative histological observation used to evaluate splenic, hepatic, and ileal tissue damage.\n\nResults: 4-HC disrupted biofilm formation by suppressing EPS biosynthesis and flagella-mediated motility, thereby destabilizing biofilm architecture and impairing bacterial dissemination. 4-HC acted as a broad-range potentiator for most antibiotics tested, with the most pronounced effect observed in combination with fosfomycin sodium. This combination reduced systemic bacterial burden and restored intestinal barrier function in vivo . In the murine model, the 4-HC–fosfomycin regimen improved survival and markedly attenuated splenic necrosis and ileal tissue damage, with efficacy superior to monotherapy.\n\nConclusion: 4-HC disrupts biofilm formation and enhances antibiotic efficacy against E. coli O157 infection, supporting the strategy of combining biofilm-modulating adjuvants with conventional antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance. However, rigorous safety evaluation is required before clinical translation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Hongxing Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jing Xu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yaxin Zhou"
    },
    {
      "name": "Zhijin Zhang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Zixuan Shang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Bing Li"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yubin Bai"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jiyu Zhang"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/50f5c4ent556e.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fmicb.2026.1934000",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13669101/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "50f5c4ent556e",
  "issns": [
    "1664-302X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13669101",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7215066682",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13669101/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13669101",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/50f5c4ent556e.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:18Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13669101",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13669101"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:12Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fmicb.2026.1934000",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1934000/full"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "4-Hydroxycoumarin inhibits biofilm formation and enhances antibiotic efficacy against Escherichia coli O157:H7",
  "title_text": "4-Hydroxycoumarin inhibits biofilm formation and enhances antibiotic efficacy against Escherichia coli O157:H7",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:12Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/50f5c4ent556e",
  "venue": "Frontiers in microbiology",
  "versions": []
}