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Abstract
Certain Salmonella isolates from poultry meat and our laboratory collection were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Some antibiotic resistance genes in the Salmonella were transferable to Escherichia coli during conjugation. Subsequent incubation of E. coli transconjugants at elevated temperature caused the loss of acquired antibiotic resistance genes but not transferred plasmids, suggesting a possible involvement of mechanisms other than plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance gene transfer. The Salmonella isolates were further tested for their ability to express cellulose and thin aggregative fimbriae, and their ability to attach to and form biofilm on polystyrene and glass surfaces. Cells of Salmonella expressing thin aggregative fimbriae alone or in combination with cellulose attached in higher numbers or formed more biofilm compared to those that synthesized only cellulose or neither surface component. Salt and glucose supplementation inhibited attachment and biofilm formation. Cell-surface contact time and properties of contact surface also had influence on attachment and biofilm formation.