Prevalence of Adhesion and Regulation of Biofilm-Related Genes in Different Clones ofStaphylococcus aureus

Salman Sahab Atshan,Johnson Shueh Chong Seng,Arunkumar Karunanidhi,Jayakayatri Jeevajothi Nathan,Rukman Awang Hamat,Mariana Nor Shamsudin,Alreshidi Mateg Ali,Leslie Than Thian Lung,Hamed Ghasemzadeh-Moghaddam,Chong Pei Pei,Ehsanollah Ghaznavi-Rad,Zamberi Sekawi

doi:10.1155/2012/976972

Abstract

Clinical information about genotypically different clones of biofilm-producing Staphylococcus aureus is largely unknown. We examined whether different clones of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA) differ with respect to staphylococcal microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs) in biofilm formation. The study used 60 different types of spa and determined the phenotypes, the prevalence of the 13 MSCRAMM, and biofilm genes for each clone. The current investigation was carried out using a modified Congo red agar (MCRA), a microtiter plate assay (MPA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Clones belonging to the same spa type were found to have similar properties in adheringto the polystyrene microtiter plate surface. However, their ability to produce slime on MCRA medium was different. PCR experiments showed that 60 clones of MSSA and MRSA were positive for 5 genes (out of 9 MSCRAMM genes). icaADBC genes were found to be present in all the 60 clones tested indicating a high prevalence, and these genes were equally distributed among the clones associated with MSSA and those with MRSA. The prevalence of other MSCRAMM genes among MSSA and MRSA clones was found to be variable. MRSA and MSSA gene expression (MSCRAMM and icaADBC) was confirmed by RT-PCR.

Highlights

Biofilms are structured community of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix and are capable of adhering to an inert or living surface [1]
We examined whether different clones of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MSSA and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)) differ with respect to staphylococcal microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs) in biofilm formation
Biofilm forming properties have been well demonstrated in members of Staphylococcus, such as S. epidermidis and S. aureus, still they remain unclear among the recently emerged types of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which have evolved from several clonal lineages of methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strains

Summary

Introduction

Biofilms are structured community of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix and are capable of adhering to an inert or living surface [1]. Researchers showed that the first step of staphylococcal infection is the attachment to surfaces of various materials, including medical devices and host tissues. These reactions are attributed to a combination of extracellular factors such as adherence and biofilm formation [2]. Molecular studies have shown that during late phases of adherence the organisms first adhere to each other and elaborate a biofilm This step is mediated by two biofilm components, polysaccharide intercellular adhesion (PIA) and the intracellular adhesion A, D, B, and C (icaA, icaD, icaB, and icaC), which are synthesized by products of the intercellular adhesion A, D, B, and C (icaA, icaD, icaB, and icaC) operon. Evaluation of gene expression within these two diverse groups by RT-PCR would be more advantageous in determining their relation

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Conclusion