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Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
14:04

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

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Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Foodborne Pathogenic Strains and Assessment of Their

Abderrahmen Merghni1, Hiba Hamdi2, Marwa Ben Abdallah3

  • 1Laboratory of Antimicrobial Resistance LR99ES09, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1007, Tunisia.

Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Foodborne Staphylococcus aureus strains exhibit antibiotic resistance, including methicillin resistance (MRSA). These bacteria can adhere, form biofilms, produce toxins, and reduce human intestinal cell viability, highlighting concerns for food safety.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Food Safety
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a significant pathogen causing human infections.
  • Foodborne S. aureus poses a substantial threat due to its virulence factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in foodborne S. aureus.
  • To assess the cytotoxic effects of S. aureus isolates on human intestinal cells (HCT-116).

Main Methods:

  • Phenotypic and genotypic detection of methicillin resistance (MRSA) and the mec A gene.
  • Assessment of bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, and exoenzyme production.
  • In vitro cytotoxicity assays using HCT-116 cells, measuring cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Main Results:

  • 20% of foodborne S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant (MRSA), confirmed by mec A gene detection.
  • 40% of isolates demonstrated strong adhesion and biofilm formation capabilities.
  • S. aureus extracts significantly reduced HCT-116 cell viability, decreased MMP, and increased ROS generation.

Conclusions:

  • Foodborne S. aureus strains possess significant antibiotic resistance and virulence traits.
  • These isolates exhibit cytotoxic effects on human intestinal cells, contributing to foodborne illness.
  • Preventing S. aureus food poisoning requires continued vigilance and concern.
Keywords:
HCT-116MMPROSSARMcytotoxicityfoodbornevirulence factors

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