title: Characterization of Campylobacter jejuni biofilms under defined growth conditions.
abstract: Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of human diarrheal disease in many industrialized countries and is a source of public health and economic burden. C. jejuni, present as normal flora in the intestinal tract of commercial broiler chickens and other livestock, is probably the main source of human infections. The presence of C. jejuni in biofilms found in animal production watering systems may play a role in the colonization of these animals. We have determined that C. jejuni can form biofilms on a variety of abiotic surfaces commonly used in watering systems, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polyvinyl chloride plastics. Furthermore, C. jejuni biofilm formation was inhibited by growth in nutrient-rich media or high osmolarity, and thermophilic and microaerophilic conditions enhanced biofilm formation. Thus, nutritional and environmental conditions affect the formation of C. jejuni biofilms. Both flagella and quorum sensing appear to be required for maximal biofilm formation, as C. jejuni flaAB and luxS mutants were significantly reduced in their ability to form biofilms compared to the wild-type strain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Microbiology, University of Arizona, 1117 East Lowell Street, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reeser
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Medler
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Billington
authors.forename: B Helen
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Jost
authors.forename: Lynn A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Joens
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000332:Aerobiosis; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013437:Carbon-Sulfur Lyases / Q000235:genetics; D003470:Culture Media; D005407:Flagella / Q000502:physiology; D005408:Flagellin / Q000235:genetics; D006358:Hot Temperature; D009154:Mutation; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D053038:Quorum Sensing
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D005408:Flagellin; C067138:flaA protein, bacteria; C416532:flaB flagellin; D013437:Carbon-Sulfur Lyases; C117753:LuxS protein, Bacteria