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Opportunistic Gram-negative rods' capability of creating biofilm structures on polivynyl chloride and
Julia Zabielska1, Alina Kunicka-Styczyńska1, Katarzyna Rajkowska1
1Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź, Poland.
Abstract:
Biofilms are highly organized microbial communities displaying high resistance to disinfectants and other external environmental factors. Medical equipment, such as stents and catheters, can be colonized by a variety of bacteria including opportunistic pathogens circulating in the environment and dangerous to immunocompromised patients. Application of materials resistant to biofilm formation will minimize the risk of patients' infection. Hence, the aim of this research was to determine the biofilm growth of environmental bacteria isolates on polyvinyl chloride and styrene-acronitrile copolymer surfaces. Nine strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia and Serratia liquefacies) isolated from cosmetics, and a reference P. aeruginosa strain ATCC 15442, were tested. The ability and dynamics of biofilm formation on intubation catheters (30°C, up to 24 h) in bacterial growth cultures (10(7)-10(8) CFU/ml) was investigated, with subsequent sonication and quantification by agar plate count method. The results indicated that all the tested bacteria expressed a strong ability for the polymer surface adhesion, reaching 4.6 to 6.7 log CFU/cm(2) after 30 minutes. Moreover, for the majority of strains, the level of 24-hour biofilm production was from 6.67-7.61 log CFU/cm(2). This research indicates that the environmental strains circulating between the cosmetics and patients may pose a threat of biofilm formation on medical equipment surfaces, and presumably in the clinical surroundings as well.
Insights
Environmental bacteria from cosmetics can form robust biofilms on medical plastics. This biofilm formation poses a significant infection risk, especially for vulnerable patients, highlighting the need for resistant materials.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Materials Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Biofilms are resilient microbial communities that readily colonize medical devices.
- Opportunistic pathogens in biofilms present a serious risk to immunocompromised patients.
- Preventing biofilm formation on medical equipment is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate biofilm formation by environmental bacteria on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and styrene-acronitrile (SAN) copolymer surfaces.
- To assess the adhesion and dynamics of biofilm development on intubation catheters.
Main Methods:
- Tested nine environmental bacterial strains (including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Serratia liquefacies) and a reference strain.
- Incubated bacterial cultures on catheter materials at 30°C for up to 24 hours.
- Quantified biofilm formation using sonication and agar plate counts.
Main Results:
- All tested bacteria demonstrated strong adhesion to polymer surfaces within 30 minutes (4.6–6.7 log CFU/cm²).
- Most strains achieved significant biofilm production within 24 hours (6.67–7.61 log CFU/cm²).
- Environmental strains showed high potential for biofilm formation on tested materials.
Conclusions:
- Environmental bacteria, including those found in cosmetics, can readily form biofilms on common medical plastics.
- These biofilms pose a potential threat for healthcare-associated infections.
- Further research into biofilm-resistant materials is warranted to mitigate patient infection risks.
