Figure 1.

Schematic representation of biofilm formation and STEC factors associated with each step. Biofilm formation is a dynamic and complex process influenced by several bacterial and/or environmental factors. Biofilm formation occurs in four steps: first contact, attachment, maturation, and dispersion. Factors that are known to play a role in STEC biofilm formation are listed below the corresponding step. It should be noted that biofilm formation in STEC is strain dependent and factors presented in this figure are not necessarily representative of all STEC biofilms. PGA, poly-N-acetyl glucosamine; EPS, extracellular polymeric substances; LPS, lipopolysaccharides; QS, quorum sensing.