Susceptibilitiy of Erwinia carotovora biofilms to antibiotics

• Author(s): Boer, S.; Ceri, H.; Lee, Eun; Marques, Lyriam; Olson, Merle;
• Abstract: Biofilms are sessile microbial aggregates enclosed in a polymeric matrix and are metabolically distinct from free-living (planktonic) cells. They are important in several animal and human infections as well as in some plant diseases, such as Pierces disease of grape and citrus variegated chlorosis caused by Xylella fastidiosa. Since biofilms play a role in pathogenicity and are resistant to antimicrobial agents, they impact on disease control strategies. We analysed strains of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, which cause decay of vegetable crops, for biofilm formation and susceptibility to antibiotics using the MBECTM device. Biofilms of E. c. carotovora showed remarkably reduced susceptibility to several classes of antibiotics. The minimal concentrations needed to kill biofilm populations were 8 to 512 times higher than concentrations needed to kill planktonic cells.
• Publication Date: Jun 2003
• Journal: Phytopathology