Figure 2.

Role of biofilm formation in the transmission and persistence of STEC outside of an animal host. Several studies demonstrated that STEC can persist as a biofilm on fresh produce, in water, and in processing plants. In some cases, factors contributing to biofilm formation have been identified. Texts in bold and framed by solid lines indicate environments where STEC biofilms are identified and participate in the persistence of STEC; dashed lines indicate environments where STEC biofilms are hypothesized to be present. It is currently unknown if STEC biofilm formation plays a role in the colonization of cattle and humans or in STEC survival in feces, soil, protozoans, carcasses, and processed food. PGA, poly-N-acetyl glucosamine; EPS, extracellular polymeric substances; LPS, lipopolysaccharides; QS, quorum sensing.