Comparative Analysis of Biofilm Formation Ability in Isolates of Fusobacterium nucleatum Subspecies

Abstract

The oral commensal Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is critical in biofilm development. Although differences in biofilm formation among subspecies have been reported, detailed analyses of the isolates are scarce. The present study evaluated biofilm formation in four Fn subspecies (Fn animalis, Fn nucleatum, Fn polymorphum, and Fn vincentii) using crystal violet staining and fluorescence microscopy on novel cultivation platforms. The type strains showed notable variability, with Fn nucleatum and Fn vincentii forming strong biofilms, whereas Fn animalis and Fn polymorphum were weaker. The Isolates displayed a broad range of biofilm capacities, in some instances surpassing those of the type strains. Our findings demonstrated significant heterogeneity in biofilm formation across Fn subspecies, thus providing insights into their ecological and disease-associated dynamics.