Diarrhea-associated biofilm formed by enteroaggregative Escherichia coli and aggregative Citrobacter freundii: a consortium mediated by putative F pili.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) are enteropathogenic strains identified by the aggregative adhesion (AA) pattern that share the capability to form biofilms. Citrobacter freundii is classically considered as an indigenous intestinal species that is sporadically associated with diarrhea.

Results

During an epidemiologic study focusing on infantile diarrhea, aggregative C. freundii (EACF) and EAEC strains were concomitantly recovered from a severe case of mucous diarrhea. Thereby, the occurrence of synergic events involving these strains was investigated. Coinfection of HeLa cells with EACF and EAEC strains showed an 8-fold increase in the overall bacterial adhesion compared with single infections (P < 0.001). The synergic effect was mediated by physical int

SUBMITTER: Pereira AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2836999 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature