Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 2, 2025

Super-resolution Imaging of Proteus mirabilis Biofilm by Expansion Microscopy
07:10

Super-resolution Imaging of Proteus mirabilis Biofilm by Expansion Microscopy

Published on: July 18, 2025

254

Role of Proteus mirabilis flagella in biofilm formation

Paola Scavone1, Victoria Iribarnegaray2, María José González1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Revista Argentina De Microbiologia
|April 19, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Proteus mirabilis flagella contribute to biofilm formation in urinary tract infections. Impairing flagellar function may offer strategies for biofilm prevention, though it does not completely inhibit biofilm generation.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Proteus mirabilis is a key cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
  • P. mirabilis exhibits swarming motility mediated by flagella and forms biofilms.
  • The precise role of flagella in P. mirabilis biofilm development remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of flagella in P. mirabilis biofilm formation.
  • To assess the impact of flagellar deficiency on biofilm development and related bacterial behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an isogenic mutant lacking flagellin expression.
  • Evaluated cell surface hydrophobicity and bacterial motility.
  • Assessed migration across catheter segments.
  • Quantified biofilm biomass and dynamics using microscopy in static and flow conditions.

Main Results:

  • P. mirabilis flagella play a significant role in biofilm formation.
  • Flagellar deficiency reduced but did not eliminate biofilm generation.
  • Impaired flagellar function influenced bacterial motility and surface interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Flagella are important contributors to P. mirabilis biofilm development.
  • Targeting flagellar function presents a potential strategy for combating P. mirabilis biofilms in medical settings.
  • Complete biofilm prevention requires addressing additional virulence factors beyond flagella.
Keywords:
BiofilmCatheterCatéterFlagellaFlagelosInfección del tracto urinarioPrevenciónPreventionProteus mirabilisUrinary tract infection

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