Disrupting three Salmonella genes weakens bacterial biofilm defenses

A major challenge to combating bacterial infections is the formation of biofilms-protective structures that allow bacteria to adhere to surfaces and reproduce, increasing their chances of survival even when challenged with antibiotics and the host's immune system. In new research published in The FEBS Journal, investigators identified 3 genes that are essential for biofilm formation in Salmonella Typhimurium, a major foodborne bacterial pathogen that causes gastroenteritis and life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals.

The team's experiments showed that disrupting these genes impaired biofilm structure and adhesion, and also resulted in decreased host colonization and virulence, significantly reducing the pathogen's ability to cause damage and resist treatment.

The pathways associated with these genes "warrant further investigation as potential targets for anti-biofilm intervention in clinical, food-production, and agricultural settings," the authors wrote.