Cloning of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis fimbrial protein SefA as a surface protein in Escherichia coli confers the ability to attach to eukaryotic cell lines.

The gene for the Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis fimbrial protein SefA was cloned into an Escherichia coli surface expression vector and confirmed by Western blot assay. E. coli clones expressing SefA attached to avian ovary granulosa cells and HEp-2 cells, providing evidence for the involvement of SefA in the ability of Salmonella to attach to eukaryotic cells.