Delayed biofilm formation in non-motile uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain in static and dynamic growth conditions

Urinary tract infections associated with the placement of indwelling urinary catheters are a significant concern in hospital settings, as they are linked to an increased risk of severe infections and complications due to biofilm formation. These infections are primarily caused by uropathogens such as Escherichia coli (UPEC). UPEC possesses peritrichous flagella, which facilitates its motility, adhesion to surfaces, and biofilm formation. Understanding the development of UPEC communities is essential for developing effective treatment and eradication strategies. In this study, we characterized the biofilm formation of a clinical non-motile UPEC strain under both static and dynamic culture conditions that simulate the urinary catheter environment. We developed a dynamic culture system coupled with light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) to quantify the stages of biofilm formation over time. Our results demonstrate that flagella play a crucial role in the initial phase of biofilm formation. The non-motile strain exhibited a delay in the adhesion phase compared to motile strains but ultimately formed biofilms of similar volume during subsequent stages. These findings highlight the significance of flagella in dynamic biofilm formation models and provide valuable insights for modeling the evolution of bacterial communities in nosocomial environments using LSFM.