Aggregative adherence pattern and biofilm formation in typical and atypical enteroaggregative Escherichia coli: role of the Shf protein.

Author(s)

Francielli Mahnic de Vasconcellos

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2009-08-04

Examining board members

Waldir Pereira Elias Junior; Tania Aparecida Tardelli Gomes do Amaral; Viviane Nakano

• Advisor: Waldir Pereira Elias Junior

Abstract

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is characterized by the expression of the aggregative adherence (AA) pattern to HEp-2 cells. The classification of EAEC in typical and atypical is based on the presence or absence of aggR, respectively. The shf gene encodes a protein with similarity to IcaB, associated with biofilm formation. The objectives of this study were to verify the prevalence of shf in 113 EAEC strains isolated in Brazil and investigate the role of the Shf in the establishment of the AA pattern and biofilm of typical and atypical EAEC. The shf gene was detected in 25 typical and in 16 atypical EAEC. The shf+ strains were analyzed regarding serogroups, adherence to HEp-2 cells and the ability to form biofilm. None of these characteristics was associated with the presence of shf and all strains were able to produce biofilm. The mutagenesis in shf reduced the biofilm formation and abolished the adherence to HEp-2 cells. This study demonstrated that shf is prevalent and Shf is involved in the AA and biofilm formation of typical and atypical EAEC. (AU)