Xylella fastidiosa are biofilm-forming phytopathogenic bacteria

• Author(s): Ceri, H.; Manfio, G.; Marques, Lyriam; Olson, Merle; Reid, D.;
• Abstract: Xylella fastidiosa are fastidious bacteria that colonize the plant xylem and can be transmitted by xylem-feeding insects in the field. X. fastidiosa infections cause major losses in economically significant crops, including Pierces Disease in grapes and CVC in sweet oranges. Disease symptoms are mostly related to limited xylem flow and water stress associated to blockage of xylem vessels by bacterial aggregates and exopolysaccharide. Bacterial aggregates attached to a surface can be defined as biofilms. We hypothesize that X. fastidiosa are biofilm infections of plants. We present experimental evidence of biofilm formation on the surface of culture vessels by strains of X. fastidiosa grown in PW liquid media, under agitation, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, we devised a novel in vitro model for studying X. fastidiosa biofilms, using natural substrates, that further supports our hypothesis. These data bring a whole new rationale to the research of control methods for the diseases caused by these organisms.
• Publication Date: Jun 2001
• Journal: Phytopathology