scholarly journals Regulation of Cell Division, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence by FlhC in Escherichia coli O157:H7 Grown on Meat

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (11) ◽  
pp. 3653-3662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preeti Sule ◽  
Shelley M. Horne ◽  
Catherine M. Logue ◽  
Birgit M. Prüß
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Parent Strain ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACTTo understand the continuous problems thatEscherichia coliO157:H7 causes as food pathogen, this study assessed global gene regulation in bacteria growing on meat. Since FlhD/FlhC ofE. coliK-12 laboratory strains was previously established as a major control point in transducing signals from the environment to several cellular processes, this study compared the expression pattern of anE. coliO157:H7 parent strain to that of its isogenicflhCmutant. This was done with bacteria that had been grown on meat. Microarray experiments revealed 287 putative targets of FlhC. Real-time PCR was performed as an alternative estimate of transcription and confirmed microarray data for 13 out of 15 genes tested (87%). The confirmed genes are representative of cellular functions, such as central metabolism, cell division, biofilm formation, and pathogenicity. An additional 13 genes from the same cellular functions that had not been hypothesized as being regulated by FlhC by the microarray experiment were tested with real-time PCR and also exhibited higher expression levels in theflhCmutant than in the parent strain. Physiological experiments were performed and confirmed that FlhC reduced the cell division rate, the amount of biofilm biomass, and pathogenicity in a chicken embryo lethality model. Altogether, this study provides valuable insight into the complex regulatory network of the pathogen that enables its survival under various environmental conditions. This information may be used to develop strategies that could be used to reduce the number of cells or pathogenicity ofE. coliO157:H7 on meat by interfering with the signal transduction pathways.

scholarly journals Bioinformatic and Molecular Analysis of Inverse Autotransporters from Escherichia coli

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelvin G. K. Goh ◽  
Danilo G. Moriel ◽  
Steven J. Hancock ◽  
Minh-Duy Phan ◽  
Mark A. Schembri
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Secretion System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Type V Secretion ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Type V

ABSTRACT Proteins secreted by the type V secretion system possess multiple functions, including the capacity to mediate adhesion, aggregation, and biolfilm formation. The type V secretion system can be divided into five subclasses, one of which is the type Ve system. Proteins of the type Ve secretion system are also referred to as inverse autotransporters (IATs). In this study, we performed an in silico analysis of 126 completely sequenced Escherichia coli genomes available in the NCBI database and identified several distinct IAT-encoding gene families whose distribution varied throughout the E. coli phylogeny. The genes included three characterized IATs (intimin, fdeC, and yeeJ) and four uncharacterized IATs (here named iatA, iatB, iatC, and iatD). The four iat genes were cloned from the completely sequenced environmental E. coli strain SMS-3-5 and characterized. Three of these IAT proteins (IatB, IatC, and IatD) were expressed at the cell surface and possessed the capacity to mediate biofilm formation in a recombinant E. coli K-12 strain. Further analysis of the iatB gene, which showed a unique association with extraintestinal E. coli strains, suggested that its regulation is controlled by the LeuO global regulator. Overall, this study provides new data describing the prevalence, sequence variation, domain structure, function, and regulation of IATs found in E. coli. IMPORTANCE Escherichia coli is one of the most prevalent facultative anaerobes of the human gut. E. coli normally exists as a harmless commensal but can also cause disease following the acquisition of genes that enhance its pathogenicity. Adhesion is an important first step in colonization of the host and is mediated by an array of cell surface components. In E. coli, these include a family of adhesins secreted by the type V secretion system. Here, we identified and characterized new proteins from an emerging subclass of the type V secretion system known as the inverse autotransporters (IATs). We found that IAT-encoding genes are present in a wide range of strains and showed that three novel IATs were localized on the E. coli cell surface and mediated biofilm formation. Overall, this study provides new insight into the prevalence, function, and regulation of IATs in E. coli.

scholarly journals Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection and Differentiation of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli from Clinical Samples

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 2148-2153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Qin ◽  
Eileen J. Klein ◽  
Emmanouil Galanakis ◽  
Anita A. Thomas ◽  
Jennifer R. Stapp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Successful Recovery

Timely accurate diagnosis of Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) infections is important. We evaluated a laboratory-developed real-time PCR (LD-PCR) assay targetingstx1,stx2, andrfbEO157with 2,386 qualifying stool samples submitted to the microbiology laboratory of a tertiary care pediatric center between July 2011 and December 2013. Broth cultures of PCR-positive samples were tested for Shiga toxins by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (ImmunoCard STAT! enterohemorrhagicE. coli[EHEC]; Meridian Bioscience) and cultured in attempts to recover both O157 and non-O157 STEC.E. coliO157 and non-O157 STEC were detected in 35 and 18 cases, respectively. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) occurred in 12 patients (10 infected with STEC O157, one infected with STEC O125ac, and one with PCR evidence of STEC but no resulting isolate). Among the 59 PCR-positive STEC specimens from 53 patients, only 29 (54.7%) of the associated specimens were toxin positive by EIA. LD-PCR differentiated STEC O157 from non-O157 usingrfbEO157, and LD-PCR results prompted successful recovery ofE. coliO157 (n= 25) and non-O157 STEC (n= 8) isolates, although the primary cultures and toxin assays were frequently negative. A rapid “mega”-multiplex PCR (FilmArray gastrointestinal panel; BioFire Diagnostics) was used retrospectively, and results correlated with LD-PCR findings in 25 (89%) of the 28 sorbitol-MacConkey agar culture-negative STEC cases. These findings demonstrate that PCR is more sensitive than EIA and/or culture and distinguishes between O157 and non-O157 STEC in clinical samples and thatE. coliO157:H7 remains the predominant cause of HUS in our institution. PCR is highly recommended for rapid diagnosis of pediatric STEC infections.

scholarly journals Intimin Gene (eae) Subtype-Based Real-Time PCR Strategy for Specific Detection of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Serotypes O157:H7, O26:H11, O103:H2, O111:H8, and O145:H28 in Cattle Feces

2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 1177-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delphine Bibbal ◽  
Estelle Loukiadis ◽  
Monique Kérourédan ◽  
Carine Peytavin de Garam ◽  
Franck Ferré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Specific Detection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cattle Feces ◽  
Pcr Assays

ABSTRACTShiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) strains belonging to serotypes O157:H7, O26:H11, O103:H2, O111:H8, and O145:H28 are known to be associated with particular subtypes of the intimin gene (eae), namely, γ1, β1, ε, θ, and γ1, respectively. This study aimed at evaluating the usefulness of their detection for the specific detection of these five main pathogenic STEC serotypes in cattle feces. Using real-time PCR assays, 58.7% of 150 fecal samples were found positive for at least one of the four targetedeaesubtypes. The simultaneous presence ofstx,eae, and one of the five O group markers was found in 58.0% of the samples, and the five targetedstxpluseaeplus O genetic combinations were detected 143 times. However, taking into consideration the association betweeneaesubtypes and O group markers, the resultingstxpluseaesubtype plus O combinations were detected only 46 times. The 46 isolation assays performed allowed recovery of 22E. colistrains belonging to one of the five targeted STEC serogroups. In contrast, only 2 of 39 isolation assays performed on samples that were positive forstx,eaeand an O group marker, but that were negative for the correspondingeaesubtype, were successful. Characterization of the 24E. coliisolates showed that 6 were STEC, including 1 O157:H7, 3 O26:H11, and 2 O145:H28. The remaining 18 strains corresponded to atypical enteropathogenicE. coli(aEPEC). Finally, the more discriminatingeaesubtype-based PCR strategy described here may be helpful for the specific screening of the five major STEC in cattle feces.

scholarly journals Apple Flavonoid Phloretin Inhibits Escherichia coli O157:H7 Biofilm Formation and Ameliorates Colon Inflammation in Rats

2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
pp. 4819-4827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Hyung Lee ◽  
Sushil Chandra Regmi ◽  
Jung-Ae Kim ◽  
Moo Hwan Cho ◽  
Hyungdon Yun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Colon Inflammation ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACTPathogenic biofilms have been associated with persistent infections due to their high resistance to antimicrobial agents, while commensal biofilms often fortify the host's immune system. Hence, controlling biofilm formation of both pathogenic bacteria and commensal bacteria is important in bacterium-related diseases. We investigated the effect of plant flavonoids on biofilm formation of enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coliO157:H7. The antioxidant phloretin, which is abundant in apples, markedly reducedE. coliO157:H7 biofilm formation without affecting the growth of planktonic cells, while phloretin did not harm commensalE. coliK-12 biofilms. Also, phloretin reducedE. coliO157:H7 attachment to human colon epithelial cells. Global transcriptome analyses revealed that phloretin repressed toxin genes (hlyEandstx2), autoinducer-2 importer genes (lsrACDBF), curli genes (csgAandcsgB), and dozens of prophage genes inE. coliO157:H7 biofilm cells. Electron microscopy confirmed that phloretin reduced fimbria production inE. coliO157:H7. Also, phloretin suppressed the tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced inflammatory responsein vitrousing human colonic epithelial cells. Moreover, in the rat model of colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS), phloretin significantly ameliorated colon inflammation and body weight loss. Taken together, our results suggest that the antioxidant phloretin also acts as an inhibitor ofE. coliO157:H7 biofilm formation as well as an anti-inflammatory agent in inflammatory bowel diseases without harming beneficial commensalE. colibiofilms.

scholarly journals Real-Time PCR Methodology for Selective Detection of Viable Escherichia coli O157:H7 Cells by Targeting Z3276 as a Genetic Marker

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (15) ◽  
pp. 5297-5304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baoguang Li ◽  
Jin-Qiang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Genetic Marker ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Selective Detection ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Viable Cells

ABSTRACTThe goal of this study was to develop a sensitive, specific, and accurate method for the selective detection of viableEscherichia coliO157:H7 cells in foods. A unique open reading frame (ORF), Z3276, was identified as a specific genetic marker for the detection ofE. coliO157:H7. We developed a real-time PCR assay with primers and probe targeting ORF Z3276 and confirmed that this assay was sensitive and specific forE. coliO157:H7 strains (n= 298). Using this assay, we can detect amounts of genomic DNA ofE. coliO157:H7 as low as a few CFU equivalents. Moreover, we have developed a new propidium monoazide (PMA)–real-time PCR protocol that allows for the clear differentiation of viable from dead cells. In addition, the protocol was adapted to a 96-well plate format for easy and consistent handling of a large number of samples. Amplification of DNA from PMA-treated dead cells was almost completely inhibited, in contrast to the virtually unaffected amplification of DNA from PMA-treated viable cells. With beef spiked simultaneously with 8 × 107dead cells/g and 80 CFU viable cells/g, we were able to selectively detect viableE. coliO157:H7 cells with an 8-h enrichment. In conclusion, this PMA–real-time PCR assay offers a sensitive and specific means to selectively detect viableE. coliO157:H7 cells in spiked beef. It also has the potential for high-throughput selective detection of viableE. coliO157:H7 cells in other food matrices and, thus, will have an impact on the accurate microbiological and epidemiological monitoring of food safety and environmental sources.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequences of Semiconstitutive Red, Dry, and Rough Biofilm-Forming Commensal and Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Cimdins ◽  
Petra Lüthje ◽  
Fengyang Li ◽  
Irfan Ahmad ◽  
Annelie Brauner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACT Strains of Escherichia coli exhibit diverse biofilm formation capabilities. E. coli K-12 expresses the red, dry, and rough (rdar) morphotype below 30°C, whereas clinical isolates frequently display the rdar morphotype semiconstitutively. We sequenced the genomes of eight E. coli strains to subsequently investigate the molecular basis of semiconstitutive rdar morphotype expression.

scholarly journals Regulation ofwaaHby PhoB during PiStarvation Promotes Biofilm Formation byEscherichia coliO157:H7

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Vogeleer ◽  
Antony T. Vincent ◽  
Samuel M. Chekabab ◽  
Steve J. Charette ◽  
Alexey Novikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Pho Regulon ◽  
Starvation Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Pst System

ABSTRACTIn open environments such as water, enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coliO157:H7 responds to inorganic phosphate (Pi) starvation by inducing the Pho regulon controlled by PhoB. This activates the phosphate-specific transport (Pst) system that contains a high-affinity Pitransporter. In the Δpstmutant, PhoB is constitutively activated and regulates the expression of genes in the Pho regulon. Here, we show that Pistarvation and deletion of thepstsystem enhanceE. coliO157:H7 biofilm formation. Among differentially expressed genes of EDL933 grown under Pistarvation conditions and in the Δpstmutant, we have found that a member of the PhoB regulon,waaH, predicted to encode a glycosyltransferase, was highly expressed. Interestingly, WaaH contributed to biofilm formation ofE. coliO157:H7 during both Pistarvation and in the Δpstmutant. In the Δpstmutant, the presence ofwaaHwas associated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) R3 core type modifications, whereas inE. coliO157:H7,waaHoverexpression had no effect on LPS structure during Pistarvation. Therefore,waaHparticipates inE. coliO157:H7 biofilm formation during Pistarvation, but its biochemical role remains to be clarified. This study highlights the importance of the Pistarvation stress response to biofilm formation, which may contribute to the persistence ofE. coliO157:H7 in the environment.IMPORTANCEEnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coliO157:H7 is a human pathogen that causes bloody diarrhea that can result in renal failure. Outside of mammalian hosts,E. coliO157:H7 survives for extended periods of time in nutrient-poor environments, likely as part of biofilms. InE. coliK-12, the levels of free extracellular Piaffect biofilm formation; however, it was unknown whether Piinfluences biofilm formation byE. coliO157:H7. Our results show that upon Pistarvation, PhoB activateswaaHexpression, which favors biofilm formation byE. coliO157:H7. These findings suggest that WaaH is a target for controlling biofilm formation. Altogether, our work demonstrates how adaptation to Pistarvation allowsE. coliO157:H7 to occupy different ecological niches.

scholarly journals Enzymatically Active and Inactive Phosphodiesterases and Diguanylate Cyclases Are Involved in Regulation of Motility or Sessility in Escherichia coli CFT073

mBio ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel R. Spurbeck ◽  
Rebecca J. Tarrien ◽  
Harry L. T. Mobley
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Second Messenger ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Diguanylate Cyclases ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Messenger Molecule

ABSTRACTIntracellular concentration of cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP), a second messenger molecule, is regulated in bacteria by diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) (synthesizing c-di-GMP) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs) (degrading c-di-GMP). c-di-GMP concentration ([c-di-GMP]) affects motility and sessility in a reciprocal fashion; high [c-di-GMP] typically inhibits motility and promotes sessility. A c-di-GMP sensor domain, PilZ, also regulates motility and sessility. UropathogenicEscherichia coliregulates these processes during infection; motility is necessary for ascending the urinary tract, while sessility is essential for colonization of anatomical sites. Here, we constructed and screened 32 mutants containing deletions of genes encoding each PDE (n= 11), DGC (n= 13), PilZ (n= 2), and both PDE and DGC (n= 6) domains for defects in motility, biofilm formation, and adherence for the prototypical pyelonephritis isolateE. coliCFT073. Three of 32 mutations affected motility, all of which were in genes encoding enzymatically inactive PDEs. Four PDEs, eight DGCs, four PDE/DGCs, and one PilZ regulated biofilm formation in a medium-specific manner. Adherence to bladder epithelial cells was regulated by [c-di-GMP]. Four PDEs, one DGC, and three PDE/DGCs repress adherence and four DGCs and one PDE/DGC stimulate adherence. Thus, specific effectors of [c-di-GMP] and catalytically inactive DGCs and PDEs regulate adherence and motility in uropathogenicE. coli.IMPORTANCEUropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC) contains several genes annotated as encoding enzymes that increase or decrease the abundance of the second messenger molecule, c-di-GMP. While this class of enzymes has been studied in anE. coliK-12 lab strain, these proteins have not been comprehensively examined in UPEC. UPEC utilizes both swimming motility and adherence to colonize and ascend the urinary tract; both of these processes are hypothesized to be regulated by the concentration of c-di-GMP. Here, for the first time, in a uropathogenic strain,E. coliCFT073, we have characterized mutants lacking each protein and demonstrated that the uropathogen has diverged fromE. coliK-12 to utilize these enzymes to regulate adherence and motility by distinct mechanisms.

scholarly journals Effect of Spermidine on Biofilm Formation in Escherichia coli K-12

2021 ◽  
Vol 203 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kullathida Thongbhubate ◽  
Yuko Nakafuji ◽  
Rina Matsuoka ◽  
Sonomi Kakegawa ◽  
Hideyuki Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Spermidine Synthase ◽  
Periplasmic Binding Protein ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACT Polyamines are essential for biofilm formation in Escherichia coli, but it is still unclear which polyamines are primarily responsible for this phenomenon. To address this issue, we constructed a series of E. coli K-12 strains with mutations in genes required for the synthesis and metabolism of polyamines. Disruption of the spermidine synthase gene (speE) caused a severe defect in biofilm formation. This defect was rescued by the addition of spermidine to the medium but not by putrescine or cadaverine. A multidrug/spermidine efflux pump membrane subunit (MdtJ)-deficient strain was anticipated to accumulate more spermidine and result in enhanced biofilm formation compared to the MdtJ+ strain. However, the mdtJ mutation did not affect intracellular spermidine or biofilm concentrations. E. coli has the spermidine acetyltransferase (SpeG) and glutathionylspermidine synthetase/amidase (Gss) to metabolize intracellular spermidine. Under biofilm-forming conditions, not Gss but SpeG plays a major role in decreasing the too-high intracellular spermidine concentrations. Additionally, PotFGHI can function as a compensatory importer of spermidine when PotABCD is absent under biofilm-forming conditions. Last, we report here that, in addition to intracellular spermidine, the periplasmic binding protein (PotD) of the spermidine preferential ABC transporter is essential for stimulating biofilm formation. IMPORTANCE Previous reports have speculated on the effect of polyamines on bacterial biofilm formation. However, the regulation of biofilm formation by polyamines in Escherichia coli has not yet been assessed. The identification of polyamines that stimulate biofilm formation is important for developing novel therapies for biofilm-forming pathogens. This study sheds light on biofilm regulation in E. coli. Our findings provide conclusive evidence that only spermidine can stimulate biofilm formation in E. coli cells, not putrescine or cadaverine. Last, ΔpotD inhibits biofilm formation even though the spermidine is synthesized inside the cells from putrescine. Since PotD is significant for biofilm formation and there is no ortholog of the PotABCD transporter in humans, PotD could be a target for the development of biofilm inhibitors.

scholarly journals Genotypic and Phenotypic Characteristics Associated with Biofilm Formation by Human Clinical Escherichia coli Isolates of Different Pathotypes

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliane Schiebel ◽  
Alexander Böhm ◽  
Jörg Nitschke ◽  
Michał Burdukiewicz ◽  
Jörg Weinreich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Polymeric Matrix ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Automated Image Analysis ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Initial Adhesion ◽  
K 12

ABSTRACT Bacterial biofilm formation is a widespread phenomenon and a complex process requiring a set of genes facilitating the initial adhesion, maturation, and production of the extracellular polymeric matrix and subsequent dispersal of bacteria. Most studies on Escherichia coli biofilm formation have investigated nonpathogenic E. coli K-12 strains. Due to the extensive focus on laboratory strains in most studies, there is poor information regarding biofilm formation by pathogenic E. coli isolates. In this study, we genotypically and phenotypically characterized 187 human clinical E. coli isolates representing various pathotypes (e.g., uropathogenic, enteropathogenic, and enteroaggregative E. coli). We investigated the presence of biofilm-associated genes (“genotype”) and phenotypically analyzed the isolates for motility and curli and cellulose production (“phenotype”). We developed a new screening method to examine the in vitro biofilm formation ability. In summary, we found a high prevalence of biofilm-associated genes. However, we could not detect a biofilm-associated gene or specific phenotype correlating with the biofilm formation ability. In contrast, we did identify an association of increased biofilm formation with a specific E. coli pathotype. Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) was found to exhibit the highest capacity for biofilm formation. Using our image-based technology for the screening of biofilm formation, we demonstrated the characteristic biofilm formation pattern of EAEC, consisting of thick bacterial aggregates. In summary, our results highlight the fact that biofilm-promoting factors shown to be critical for biofilm formation in nonpathogenic strains do not reflect their impact in clinical isolates and that the ability of biofilm formation is a defined characteristic of EAEC. IMPORTANCE Bacterial biofilms are ubiquitous and consist of sessile bacterial cells surrounded by a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix. They cause chronic and device-related infections due to their high resistance to antibiotics and the host immune system. In nonpathogenic Escherichia coli, cell surface components playing a pivotal role in biofilm formation are well known. In contrast, there is poor information for their role in biofilm formation of pathogenic isolates. Our study provides insights into the correlation of biofilm-associated genes or specific phenotypes with the biofilm formation ability of commensal and pathogenic E. coli. Additionally, we describe a newly developed method enabling qualitative biofilm analysis by automated image analysis, which is beneficial for high-throughput screenings. Our results help to establish a better understanding of E. coli biofilm formation.

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