Biofilm formation in different null mutants of Salmonella enterica

Abstract

In Brazil, Salmonella Enteritidis emerged as a serious problem in poultry and public health as from 1993. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in chickens caused an increased antimicrobial resistance in strains of human origin. The surveys carried out in 2001 continue showing the presence of S. Enteritidis in poultry materials as the main serovar responsible for human food infections. S. Enteritidis is able to form biofilms and survive in the environment of long-term farm and contaminate poultry and eggs. Various genes involved in biofilm formation, which express main and essential components of the biofilm, such as the extracellular matrix. Once established biofilms are difficult to eradicate, due to their high resistance compared to planktonic cells, and becoming a cause of serious problems in industry and public health. The most indicated procedure for the control of S. Enteritidis in poultry is the acquisition and production of lots free of the agent. The project aims to improve knowledge of biofilm formation in strains of S. Enteritidis, S. enterica Typhimurium and null mutants for ihfA, ihfB, ihfAB, fis, hupA, hupB, hupAB, hfq, rpoS, STM0341 and ssvA, investigating the importance of these genes in biofilm formation. It is expected that the results will contribute to a control of S. enterica.