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Journal of Bacteriology, November 2007, p. 8233-8240, Vol. 189, No. 22
0021-9193/07/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.01205-07
Copyright © 2007, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Enterococcal Surface Protein Esp Is Important for Biofilm Formation of Enterococcus faecium E1162{triangledown}

Esther Heikens,* Marc J. M. Bonten, and Rob J. L. Willems

Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Received 27 July 2007/ Accepted 31 August 2007

Enterococci have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens with resistance to multiple antibiotics. Adhesion to abiotic materials and biofilm formation on medical devices are considered important virulence properties. A single clonal lineage of Enterococcus faecium, complex 17 (CC17), appears to be a successful nosocomial pathogen, and most CC17 isolates harbor the enterococcal surface protein gene, esp. In this study, we constructed an esp insertion-deletion mutant in a clinical E. faecium CC17 isolate. In addition, initial adherence and biofilm assays were performed. Compared to the wild-type strain, the esp insertion-deletion mutant no longer produced Esp on the cell surface and had significantly lower initial adherence to polystyrene and significantly less biofilm formation, resulting in levels of biofilm comparable to those of an esp-negative isolate. Capacities for initial adherence and biofilm formation were restored in the insertion-deletion mutant by in trans complementation with esp. These results identify Esp as the first documented determinant in E. faecium CC17 with an important role in biofilm formation, which is an essential factor in infection pathogenesis.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. Phone: 31.30.2505006. Fax: 31.30.2541770. E-mail: E.heikens{at}umcutrecht.nl

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 7 September 2007.

Journal of Bacteriology, November 2007, p. 8233-8240, Vol. 189, No. 22
0021-9193/07/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.01205-07
Copyright © 2007, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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