title: Biofilm as an environment for dissemination of stx genes by transduction.
abstract: Dissemination of Shiga toxin (Stx)-encoding bacteriophages is the most likely mechanism for the spread of Stx-encoding genes and the emergence of new Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Biofilm has been reported to be a place where horizontal gene transfer by plasmid conjugation and DNA transformation may occur, and in this study, horizontal gene transfer by transduction has been demonstrated. Transfer of Stx-encoding bacteriophages to potentially pathogenic E. coli in biofilm was observed at both 20°C and 37°C. The infection rates were higher at 37°C than at 20°C. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show lateral gene transfer in biofilm mediated by a temperate bacteriophage. The study shows that the biofilm environment can be suitable for transduction events and can thereby be an environment for the emergence of new pathogenic E. coli.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Solheim
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sekse
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Urdahl
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wasteson
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Nesse
mesh_terms: D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D022621:Shiga Toxin / Q000235:genetics*; D013696:Temperature; D014161:Transduction, Genetic
chemical_list: D022621:Shiga Toxin