Effect of Flagellar Mutations on Yersinia enterocolitica

Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 1B is one of a number of strains pathogenic to humans in the genus Yersinia. It has three different type III secretion systems, Ysc, Ysa, and the flagella. In this study, the effect of flagella on biofilm formation was evaluated. In a panel of 31 mutant Y. enterocolitica strains, we observed that mutations that abolish the structure or rotation of the flagella greatly reduce biofilm formation when the bacteria are grown under static conditions. These results were further evaluated by assessing biofilm formation under continuous culture using a flow cell chamber. The results confirmed the important contribution of flagella to the initiation of biofilm production but indicated that there are differences in the progression of biofilm development between static growth and flow conditions. Our results suggest that flagella play a critical role in biofilm formation in Y. enterocolitica. Yersinia enterocolitica is a food-borne, pathogenic, gram-negative bacterium that causes gastroenteritis. In some cases, septicemia can occur, depending on the health of the host. The most serious illnesses are developed by young children under the age of 1 year (1). Y. enterocolitica is one of three human-pathogenic species in the genus Yersinia that, along wit