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To investigate the contribution of multidrug efflux pump systems of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium to the formation of a competent biofilm.

Biofilm formation by a wild-type strain and 10 efflux mutant strains was quantified using crystal violet biofilm assays and visualized using scanning electron microscopy. Curli expression was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively by measuring binding of the dye Congo red to polymerized curli and by comparative RT–PCR.

All efflux mutants of Salmonella Typhimurium were compromised in their ability to form biofilms. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the mutants were able to adhere to a surface but were unable to form a complex three-dimensional biofilm. Congo red assays demonstrated an inability of the efflux mutants to produce curli, a proteinaceous …