Abstract
The formation of biofilms on pieces of equipment and dental chair unit waterlines has attracted more interest and concern. This study aimed to assess the reliability of two phenotypic methods used to detect the presence of biofilms and the icaADBC operon, and identify various toxin genes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in clinical staphylococcal isolates. A total of thirty-one (31) staphylococcal strains were isolated from waterline tubings in the dental unit. Two phenotypic methods were used for the detection of biofilm production. PCR detected the presence of the ica operon, and a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of staphylococcal toxin genes was done. Biofilm production was detected in twenty-six (83.87%) isolates by tissue culture plate method (TCP). The CRA method indicated that twenty (64.51%) of these strains could produce slime. By using the ica operon test, the genotypic ability to form biofilm in was identified in fourteen (45.16%) strains. Five (16.12%) strains of Staphylococcus warneri harbored one or more toxin genes detected by PCR multiplex. The presence of ica operon gene does not always have relationship with in vitro biofilm formation and genes encoding the staphylococcal toxin. Among the strains studied, few of them had the ica operon, toxin gene, and phenotypic ability to form a biofilm at the same time. Key words: Dental unit waterlines, staphylococci, biofilm, Ica genes, toxin genes.
Highlights
Since their introduction, water cooled rotating instruments in dental units have been highly contaminated by microorganisms
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected the presence of the ica operon, and a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of staphylococcal toxin genes was done
The results showed that four strains produce the biofilm by tissue culture plate method (TCP) and slime by Congo red agar method (CRA) carried the toxin genes
Summary
Water cooled rotating instruments in dental units have been highly contaminated by microorganisms. These are micro-organisms from the main water supply, and those which are sucked back from the patient's mouth. They adhere to the internal surfaces of water-carrying pipes and form strong adherent biofilms (Lee et al, 2001). The development of biofilms is facilitated by the ready adhesion of bacteria to the hydrophobic polymeric plastic tubing material used in dental equipment and by the low flow rate and the intermittent patterns of use of water with overnight and weekend stagnation (Decoret et al, 2005).
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