Abstract:

In this study, the relationship of $\textit{hilA, invA, adrA, spiC, otsB}$ and $\textit{csgD}$ genes, which are known to play critical roles in the pathogenicity and virulence of $\textit{Salmonella}$ strains, with biofilm formation was investigated by examining the changes in the expression levels of these genes during the transition from planktonic form to biofilm form. When the virulence gene expressions between the S. Typhimurium 14028 mutant, which lost its ability to form biofilms due to $\textit{csgD}$ gene deletion, and the wild type strain were compared, it was determined that the expression levels of $\textit{hilA, invA}$ and $\textit{adrA}$ genes increased, whereas the expression levels of $\textit{spiC, otsB}$ and $\textit{csgD}$ genes decreased. These data indicate that all examined genes play critical activation or inhibition roles in biofilm regulation as well as pathogenicity and virulence. On the other hand, in the mutant strain; The increase in the expression levels of $\textit{hilA, invA}$ and $\textit{adrA}$ genes shows that inhibitors of the proteins encoded by these genes have the potential to be of practical use in the prevention and control of infections caused by both biofilm-forming and non-biofilm-forming $\textit{Salmonella}$ strains.

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