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Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
10:39

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

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Biofilm-Forming Clinical Staphylococcus Isolates Harbor Horizontal Transfer and Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Sandra Águila-Arcos1, Itxaso Álvarez-Rodríguez1, Olatz Garaiyurrebaso1

  • 1Instituto Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|November 1, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcal infections linked to medical devices are a major concern due to antibiotic resistance. This study found common resistance genes and plasmid transfer mechanisms in clinical isolates, highlighting the risk of spreading multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Staphylococcal infections, particularly those involving biofilms on implanted medical devices, pose significant treatment challenges due to antibiotic resistance.
  • Biofilms are known reservoirs for horizontal gene transfer (HGT), facilitating the spread of resistance mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate biofilm formation capacity in clinical staphylococcal isolates.
  • To detect the presence of specific antibiotic resistance genes and plasmid transfer genes in these isolates.
  • To assess the potential risk of multidrug-resistant bacteria development and dissemination.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 25 clinical staphylococcal isolates known to form biofilms.
  • Comparison of biofilm-forming capacity between *Staphylococcus epidermidis* and *Staphylococcus aureus*.
  • Detection of horizontal transfer and relaxase genes (pSK41, pT181) and antibiotic resistance genes (*aac6-aph2a*, *ermC*, *tetK*) using molecular methods.

Main Results:

  • *Staphylococcus epidermidis* isolates exhibited a higher biofilm-forming capacity compared to *Staphylococcus aureus* isolates.
  • All isolates contained horizontal transfer and relaxase genes from plasmids pSK41 and pT181.
  • The antibiotic resistance genes *aac6-aph2a* (gentamicin resistance), *ermC* (erythromycin resistance), and *tetK* (tetracycline resistance) were the most prevalent.

Conclusions:

  • The presence of transferable antibiotic resistance and plasmid genes in clinical staphylococcal strains from medical device biofilms indicates a significant risk.
  • These findings underscore the potential for the development and spread of multidrug-resistant staphylococci in healthcare settings.
  • Effective strategies are needed to combat biofilm-associated infections and prevent the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
Keywords:
Staphylococciantibiotic resistancebiofilmnosocomial infectionsrelaxases

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