Biofilms & Microbiology · Research Summary

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) represents an important bacterial threat in poultry production and avian health. Certain strains can cause serious infections, while their ability to form biofilms may contribute to environmental persistence and increased resistance to antimicrobial treatments.

A 2026 study published in BMC Microbiology investigated how multidrug-resistant avian pathogenic E. coli forms biofilms on different materials commonly used in poultry housing and equipment.

The findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between surface materials, bacterial contamination and environmental hygiene.

The study

Researchers investigated 32 multidrug-resistant avian pathogenic E. coli isolates collected from poultry farms.

Biofilm formation was evaluated under laboratory conditions on three commonly used materials:

• Polypropylene (PP)
• Stainless steel (SS)
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

The researchers also investigated whether combinations of bacteriophages and antibiotics could help disrupt established bacterial biofilms.

The study aimed to better understand how surface materials influence biofilm formation and how different antimicrobial approaches affect biofilm persistence.

Key findings

The study demonstrated that biofilm formation differed considerably between the investigated materials.

Biofilm formation was observed at the following rates:

Surface material                       Biofilm formation

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)             82%

Stainless steel (SS)                      79%

Polypropylene (PP)                     64%

These percentages represent the biofilm-forming results observed under the study’s experimental conditions.

Additional findings included:

• PVC supported the highest biofilm formation among the three materials tested.
• Stainless steel also supported substantial bacterial biofilm development.
• Polypropylene showed comparatively lower biofilm formation.
• Certain bacteriophage–antibiotic combinations improved biofilm disruption, although effectiveness depended on the bacterial strain and surface material.

The findings demonstrate that surface selection can influence bacterial biofilm formation, even when materials appear smooth and suitable for routine cleaning.

Why surface design matters

Biofilms consist of microorganisms attached to a surface and embedded within a protective extracellular matrix.

Once established, these microbial communities can be more difficult to eliminate than free-living bacteria.

Surface characteristics such as material composition, surface roughness and hydrophobicity can influence bacterial adhesion and subsequent biofilm development.

For veterinary hospitals, bird breeding facilities, quarantine areas and zoological collections, this highlights the importance of considering surface properties when designing environments where hygiene and infection prevention are essential.

Importantly, even materials commonly regarded as hygienic may support bacterial biofilm formation under certain conditions.

Practical implications for veterinary and animal facilities

The findings reinforce the importance of incorporating surface selection into broader environmental hygiene and biosecurity strategies.

For professional animal care facilities, several considerations are particularly relevant:

Surface selection
Materials should be evaluated not only for durability and chemical resistance but also for their suitability for effective cleaning.

Cleaning accessibility
Surfaces, joints, corners and equipment should be designed to allow thorough removal of organic contamination.

Biofilm prevention
Regular cleaning and appropriate disinfection procedures remain essential to limit bacterial accumulation and biofilm development.

Facility design
Seamless and accessible surfaces may simplify cleaning procedures by reducing difficult-to-reach areas and joints where contamination can accumulate.

Although this study did not investigate epoxy coatings, it provides relevant scientific background for understanding why surface characteristics deserve attention in the design of hygienic animal care environments.

Original scientific publication

Bhutada P, Joshi N, Saroj SD, Koratkar S (2026)

Dynamics of multidrug-resistant avian pathogenic E. coli biofilm formation on various surfaces and its dispersion with phage antibiotic synergism.

BMC Microbiology, 26, Article 483 (2026)

DOI: 10.1186/s12866-026-05018-3

VIEW ORIGINAL RESEARCH →

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