Adherence of Gallibacterium anatis to inert surfaces

Abstract

The genus Gallibacterium includes bacteria of avian origin isolated from a variety of birds. It has been described as an indigenous bacterium to the upper respiratory and lower genital tracts of healthy chickens but it has been also reported associated to different pathological conditions. Microbial infections are initiated by colonization of tissues by a specific mechanism of adherence to host cells. In this research, we evaluated the ability of the G. anatis strains F149T, 12158/5 Salp and the G. genomospecies 1 strain CCM 5974 to adhere to inert surfaces as a possible mechanism promoting biofilm formation. All three strains formed robust biofilms on polystyrene and glass. Adherence was prevented by treating bacterial cells with trypsin, suggesting the participation of proteins in this process. Scanning electron microscopy of G. anatis adherence to glass surface was observed within the 1 st 3 h of exposure. Extracellular material, micro-vesicles, filamentous structures and cords were observed as a part of biofilm matrix. The adhesive capacity observed could be an important ability for colonization of tissue surfaces and for allowing Gallibacterium to persist inside its host. © 2011 Medwell Journals.