Flagella of <i>Aeromonas veronii</i> biotype sobria promote biofilm formation by biofilm-derived outer membrane vesicles (bOMVs)

<i>Aeromonas veronii</i> biotype sobria is a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium commonly found in various water sources. <i>A. veronii</i> sobria can form biofilms and has been implicated in sporadic infections associated with medical devices like catheters. Previous studies have noted that biofilm-derived outer membrane vesicles (bOMVs) can enhance biofilm formation, though the impact varies across different strains. It remains uncertain whether these variances are attributable to bacterial characteristics or bOMVs components. To investigate this, we analyzed the effects of bOMVs using three typical <i>A. veronii</i> sobria strains (102, 104, and 106) with varying biofilm-forming abilities, noting disparities in biofilm formation by bOMVs derived from each strain. Detailed focus on strain 106, the most responsive to bOMVs, led to the discovery of distinct characteristics, including the presence of flagella-like structures and their role in biofilm formation.IMPORTANCEThis study illuminates the role of <i>A. veronii</i> biotype sobria flagella in promoting biofilm formation by bOMVs through diverse mechanisms. The findings suggest a significant interaction between flagella, outer membrane vesicles, and bacterial cells, influencing the biofilm development process. Understanding these mechanisms could provide crucial insights into the pathogenic potential of <i>A. veronii</i> biotype sobria strains and potentially inform novel strategies for combating biofilm-related infections.