Molecular identification of toxin-antitoxin system genes and their relationship with biofilm formation among clinical isolates of Escherichia coli obtained from hospitalized and outpatients in educational hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran
Background: Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are present on the chromosomes and plasmids of many bacteria, including Escherichia coli. The functions of TA systems in bacteria are unclear. The biological roles of TA systems are hypothesized to include growth regulation, persistence, and biofilm development. E. coli biofilms...