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Urinary catheter indwelling clinical pathogen biofilm formation, exopolysaccharide characterization and their growth

Kasi Murugan1, Krishnasamy Selvanayaki2, Saleh Al-Sohaibani1

  • 1Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, P.O. Box 2455, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
|February 10, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated biofilm formation in common catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) pathogens. Environmental factors and sugar composition influence their ability to form biofilms, impacting device contamination.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Microbial biofilms on indwelling medical devices are a major cause of nosocomial infections.
  • Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) are frequently caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • Understanding biofilm formation is crucial for preventing and managing these infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the phenotypic and genotypic biofilm formation of key CA-UTI pathogens.
  • To determine the influence of environmental factors (sugar, salt, pH, temperature) on their in vitro biofilm formation.
  • To characterize the monomeric sugar composition of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) in these biofilms.

Main Methods:

  • Selective isolation of S. aureus, E. faecalis, and P. aeruginosa from culture-positive urinary catheters.
  • Phenotypic and genotypic assays for biofilm formation and production.
  • Gene sequencing (ica, esp, cupA) and phylogenetic analysis.
  • In vitro assessment of environmental factor influences (sugar, salt, pH, temperature).
  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of EPS monosaccharide composition.

Main Results:

  • Isolated pathogens showed varying biofilm-forming abilities.
  • Phylogenetic analysis indicated close genetic relationships among the isolated S. aureus, E. faecalis, and P. aeruginosa.
  • Biofilm formation was confirmed as an environmentally sensitive process.
  • Species-specific variations in EPS monosaccharide composition (glucose, lactose, mannitol, maltose) were identified.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental factors significantly impact CA-UTI pathogen biofilm formation.
  • Distinct EPS sugar profiles exist among different CA-UTI-causing species.
  • Findings have potential clinical relevance for improved CA-UTI diagnosis and management.
Keywords:
BiofilmCA-UTIEnvironmental factorsExopolysaccharideHPLCSEM

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