Growth in the presence of specific antibiotics induces biofilm formation by a Campylobacter jejuni strain sensitive to them but not in resistant strains.

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) are among the most frequently identified bacteria associated with human gastroenteritis worldwide. Exposure to antibiotics may induce or inhibit biofilm formation in some bacterial species. Little work has been reported on the influence of antibiotics on biofilm formation by C. jejuni. This study investigated the effect of six different classes of antibiotics with different modes of action (ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, nalidixic acid, rifampicin and tetracycline) on biofilm formation in vitro by seven C. jejuni from poultry with different antibiotic resistance profiles. The results indicated that in the presence of most of the tested antibiotics, biofilm formation by C. jejuni strains, which are resistant to them, was reduced but biofilm formation in sensitive strains was increased. The ability of certain antibiotics to induce biofilm formation by a tested C. jejuni strain is of concern, with respect to the effective control of disease caused by this pathogen; however, further work is required to confirm how widespread this feature is.