Identification of the genes involved in the biofilm-like structures on actinomyces oris K20, a clinical isolate from an apical lesion.

Introduction: Although the production of biofilm is thought to be crucial in the pathogenesis of abscess formations caused by oral resident microorganisms, the particular mechanisms are still unknown. The aim of this study was to identify gene(s) responsible for maintaining the cell surface-associated meshwork-like structures, which are found in some biofilm-producing bacteria, in a clinical isolate of Actinomyces oris K20.

Methods: Random insertional mutagenesis by using transposon EZ-Tn5 was performed against the strain K20.