Abstract
Biofilm production, gel and esp gene carriage was enumerated among forty six vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) and vancomycin susceptible enterococci (VSE) beach isolates. A higher proportion (61.54%) of biofilm producers was observed among beach sand as compared to beach water enterococci isolates (30%) indicating that enterococci within the sand column may be more dependent on biofilm production for survival than their beach water counterparts. Correlation analysis revealed strongly negative correlation (r=-0.535, p=0.015) between vancomycin resistance and biofilm formation. Given the observation of high prevalence of biofilm production among beach sand and the concomitant absence of esp gene carriage in any of the isolate, esp gene carriage may not be necessary for the production of biofilms among beach sand isolates. On the whole beach sand and water isolates demonstrated clearly different prevalence levels of vancomycin resistance, biofilm formation, esp and gel gene carriage. Application of these differences may be found useful in beach microbial source tracking studies. Tested starved cells still produced biofilm albeit at lower efficiencies. Non-dividing enterococci in beach sand can survive extended periods of environmental hardship and can resume growth or biofilm production in appropriate conditions thus making them infectious agents with potential health risk to recreational beach users.
Highlights
Whether on nutrient-sufficient natural, industrial, or medical ecosystems, surface-associated bacterial growth are found everywhere (Costerton et al, 1995)
Gel and esp gene carriage was enumerated among forty six vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) and vancomycin susceptible enterococci (VSE) beach isolates
A higher proportion (61.54%) of biofilm producers was observed among beach sand as compared to beach water enterococci isolates (30%) indicating that enterococci within the sand column may be more dependent on biofilm production for survival than their beach water counterparts
Summary
Whether on nutrient-sufficient natural, industrial, or medical ecosystems, surface-associated bacterial growth are found everywhere (Costerton et al, 1995). Despite their ubiquity, only recently did knowledge emerge on the genetics and physiology of these surface-associated bacteria (Kristich et al, 2004). Recent studies have clarified that surface-associated bacteria exist in complex microbial communities, known as biofilms, which are typically encased in a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix (Stoodley et al, 2002). The capacity to form biofilms was found to be common among clinical E. faecalis isolates within the subpopulation carrying the esp gene which is believed to promote primary attachment of and biofilm formation by E. faecalis on abiotic surfaces (Toledo-Arana et al, 2001).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
