Biofilm formation by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli on epithelial cells following mixed inoculations.

Biofilms were formed by inoculations of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli on HEp-2 cells. Inoculations of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium and E. coli resulted in the formation of an extensive biofilm of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. In experiments where an E. coli biofilm was first formed followed by challenge with S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, there was significant biofilm formation by S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. The results of this study indicate that S. enterica serovar Typhimurium can outgrow E. coli in heterologous infections and displace E. coli when it forms a biofilm on HEp-2 cells.