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Journal of Bacteriology, May 2003, p. 3214-3217, Vol. 185, No. 10
0021-9193/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JB.185.10.3214-3217.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Alpha-Toxin Is Required for Biofilm Formation by Staphylococcus aureus

Nicky C. Caiazza and G. A. O'Toole*

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire

Received 9 May 2002/ Accepted 24 February 2003

Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen associated with nosocomial infections. It can persist in clinical settings and gain increased resistance to antimicrobial agents through biofilm formation. We have found that alpha-toxin, a secreted, multimeric, hemolytic toxin encoded by the hla gene, plays an integral role in biofilm formation. The hla mutant was unable to fully colonize plastic surfaces under both static and flow conditions. Based on microscopy studies, we propose that alpha-hemolysin is required for cell-to-cell interactions during biofilm formation.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Rm. 202 Vail Building, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03755. Phone: (603) 650-1248. Fax: (603) 650-1318. E-mail: georgeo{at}Dartmouth.edu.

Journal of Bacteriology, May 2003, p. 3214-3217, Vol. 185, No. 10
0021-9193/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JB.185.10.3214-3217.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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