title: BIOFILM FORMATION OF Vibrio cholerae ON STAINLESS STEEL USED IN FOOD PROCESSING.
abstract: Vibrio cholerae represents a significant threat to human health in developing countries. This pathogen forms biofilms which favors its attachment to surfaces and its survival and transmission by water or food. This work evaluated the in vitro biofilm formation of V. cholerae isolated from clinical and environmental sources on stainless steel of the type used in food processing by using the environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Results showed no cell adhesion at 4 h and scarce surface colonization at 24 h. Biofilms from the environmental strain were observed at 48 h with high cellular aggregations embedded in Vibrio exopolysaccharide (VPS), while less confluence and VPS production with microcolonies of elongated cells were observed in biofilms produced by the clinical strain. At 96 h the biofilms of the environmental strain were released from the surface leaving coccoid cells and residual structures, whereas biofilms of the clinical strain formed highly organized structures such as channels, mushroom-like and pillars. This is the first study that has shown the in vitro ability of V. cholerae to colonize and form biofilms on stainless steel used in food processing.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Laboratorio de Fisiología Gastrointestinal, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Milagro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández-Delgado
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Inmunología, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.affiliation: Instituto Zuliano de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Estado Zulia, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Zoilabet
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Duque
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Microbiología Acuática, Departamento de Biología de Organismos, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Laboratorio de Fisiología Gastrointestinal, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Laboratorio de Fisiología Gastrointestinal, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors.forename: M Alexandra
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: García-Amado
authors.affiliation: Instituto Zuliano de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Estado Zulia, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alciaturi
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D013193:Stainless Steel