Emergence of biofilm-forming subpopulations upon exposure of Escherichia coli to environmental bacteriophages.

Exposure of Escherichia coli MG1655 to environmental bacteriophages results in rapid selection for phage-tolerant subpopulations displaying increased biofilm formation. Analysis of one phage-tolerant strain revealed large amounts of the DNA-binding Dps protein in the outer membrane protein and production of fimbria-like structures. In dps and fimA mutant derivatives of MG1655, no selection of phage-tolerant bacteria upon exposure to bacteriophages occurred, suggesting a role for Dps and type I pili in bacteriophage tolerance.