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Updated: May 29, 2026
Visualizing the Effects of Sputum on Biofilm Development Using a Chambered Coverglass Model
Published on: December 14, 2016
[Formation of biofilms bynosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains]
Aim:
Analysis of biofilm forming ability of nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.
Materials And Methods:
148 P. aeruginosa strains were used in the study. Reference strain P. aeruginosa 27853 was used as control. Biofilm forming was studied on the surface of96-well polystyrol plate.
Results:
Most of the P.aeruginosa strains isolated both in intensive care (75.5%) and in other units (76.8%) of all the health care institutions were forming films, but ICU group displayed high film forming activity more frequently. The highest indexes of biofilm forming ability were detected in strains isolated from washouts of catheters, sputum and wound discharge. A high correlation between film forming and haemolytic activity for cultures isolated from wound discharge (r = 0.852, p < 0.05) and sputum (r = 0.816, p < 0.05) was detected.IIn the latte rgroup a correlation between film forming and phospholipase activity (r = 0.677, p < 0.05) was also observed. Film forming process was more intensive at 20 degrees C in all the groups. In most of the cases intensity of film forming by P. aeruginosa was independent of the presence of metabolites and of other bacterial taxa.
Conclusion:
High film forming activity provides competitiveness of strains, and probably can be one of the markers of nosocomial isolates.
Insights
Nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains exhibit high biofilm-forming ability, particularly those from intensive care units. This characteristic, linked to haemolytic and phospholipase activity, may serve as a marker for hospital-acquired infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of nosocomial infections.
- Biofilm formation is a key virulence factor for P. aeruginosa.
- Understanding biofilm formation is crucial for controlling hospital-acquired infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the biofilm-forming ability of nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.
- To identify potential markers for identifying virulent P. aeruginosa isolates.
Main Methods:
- 148 P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from healthcare settings.
- Biofilm formation was assessed using a 96-well polystyrene plate assay.
- Correlation analysis was performed between biofilm formation and other virulence factors (haemolytic, phospholipase activity).
Main Results:
- A high percentage of P. aeruginosa strains (75.5% in ICU, 76.8% in other units) formed biofilms.
- Elevated biofilm formation was observed in strains from catheter, sputum, and wound discharge samples.
- Significant correlations were found between biofilm formation and haemolytic activity (wound discharge, sputum) and phospholipase activity (sputum).
- Biofilm formation was more intensive at 20°C.
Conclusions:
- High biofilm-forming activity enhances the competitiveness of P. aeruginosa strains.
- Biofilm formation can be a potential marker for identifying nosocomial P. aeruginosa isolates.
- These findings contribute to understanding P. aeruginosa pathogenicity in healthcare settings.
