Biofilm Formation on Different Fabrics in the Presence of Sweat

The colonization of textiles by axillary skin bacteria produces an unpleasant odour due to the rapid growth of a selective community of bacteria. Such colonized textiles subsequently act as vectors for transmitting nosocomial infections among healthcare workers and patients. An in-depth understanding of bacterial behaviour on soft surfaces like fabrics is necessary to mitigate the transmission of infections. This study examined the effect of artificial human sweat on biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, on three fabrics, viz. polyester, cotton, and polyester-cotton (70:30) blend. Artificial sweat was constituted to replicate the natural human sweat on textiles. Using atomic force microscopy, the three-dimensional topography of the biofilm was determined, and scanning electron microscopy was employed to visualise the biofilm that had developed on the fabrics. All bacterial strains showed maximum growth on polyester fabric in the presence of sweat. P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were found to be strong biofilm producers, whereas E. coli and E. faecalis were moderate producers. The ability of the four bacterial strains to form biofilm was related to their production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). P. aeruginosa produced viscous EPS in contrast to the EPS produced by other bacterial strains. In conclusion, this study corroborates that sweat plays a major role in the colonization of textiles by bacteria. Regular practice of fabric hygiene, and the development of modified fabrics with anti-pathogen properties, could potentially reduce the prevalence of nosocomial infections in healthcare settings.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-024-01409-0.