Abstract
Background: Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most commonly isolated etiological agent of nosocomial infections in preterm infants and the main cause of device-related infections. Biofilm formation is its best known virulence factor.
Methods: S. epidermidis strains were isolated from normal skin and blood of preterm infants. Biofilmand initial attachment assays were determined microplates by crystal violet staining as well as on central venous catheter (CVC) visualised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Biofilmassociated genes, and the insertion sequence element IS256 were detected by polymerase chain reaction. The autolysin/adhesin atlE genes of isolates were sequenced.
Results: TEM revealed fimbrial structures on the bacterial surface involved at the initial attachment to CVC of a skin isolate. Similarity in the attachment of the isolates was confirmed by cluster analysis of the atlE gene sequences. Biofilm-positive phenotype was a frequent finding in skin but not in blood isolates. No correlation was found between biofilm formation and presence or absence of different biofilm related genes. 9 from10 blood isolates found to be invasive based on the presence of IS256.
Conclusions: Although biofilm formation is a well known virulence factor of S. epidermidis, invasive strains may use an other strategy to be in hiding from the immune system. Since IS256 may affect the expression of certain genes and also may be associated with the antibiotic resistance, these can increase the fitness of invasive strains to cause sepsis in preterms.
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Hell, E., Hultenby, K. & Marchini, G. 1402 Biofilm and Attachment Capabilities of Staphylococcus Epidermidis Strains Isolated From Newborn Infants. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 693 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-01402
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-01402