title: In vitro biofilm formation in ESBL producing Escherichia coli isolates from cage birds.
abstract: To determine biofilm and hydrophobicity formation ratios in extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) synthesizing Escherichia coli isolates which were isolated from feces samples of 150 cage bird species randomly taken from pet shops in Hatay province, Turkey.
  
  
  
  In vitro biofilm production of 4 ESBL positive isolates were performed by Congo Red Agar (CRA), Standard Tube (ST) and Microtitre Plate (MP) methods while their hydrophobicity were examined by bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbon (BATH) test.
  
  
  
  In the examined isolates, while biofilm production was found to be negative by CRA method, highest biofilm producing strain, among 4 bacteria was determined to be A42 by ST and MP methods. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) also displayed these confirmed findings. The hydrophobicity values of strains were determined to be between 22.45% and 26.42%.
  
  
  
  As a result, biofilm formation in cage bird feces originated ESBL positive Escherichia coli isolates was performed for the first time in Turkey. In order to present the relation between pathogenicity and biofilm production in animal originated ESBL positive isolates, further studies are required.
authors.affiliation: Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Art and Sciences, Biology Department, Antakya-Hatay 31040, Turkey. Electronic address: ebrusebnem@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ebru Sebnem
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
authors.affiliation: Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Sciences, Biology Department, Muğla 48170, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nur Ceyhan
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Güvensen
keywords: Biofilm formation; Cage birds; Escherichia coli; Extended spectrum beta lactamases; Hydrophobicity