Staphylococcus spp. is a major cause of infections associated with urinary catheterization and other medical devices. Biofilm formation is an important step in the pathogenesis of these Staphylococci and depends on the expression of the icaADBC operon involved in the synthesis of a polysaccharide intercellular adhesion. In this study, forty-four (44) Staphylococcus spp. obtained from urinary catheters at the University Hospital of Tlemcen (North-West Algeria) were analyzed to investigate the presence or absence of the intercellular adhesion icaA and icaD genes, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Phenotypic biofilm formation was examined by tissue culture plate (TCP) and Congo red agar (CRA) methods. Seventeen (17) of 44 isolates were shown to carry ica-specific DNA, 18 produced slime on CRA plates but only eight produced biofilm spontaneously on the polystyrene surfaces, under normal growth conditions. Upon induction by sugar, biofilm formation could be stimulated in seven (7) of nine (9)ica positive. Biofilm-negative isolates indicated that the icaADBC expression was down-regulated in these strains. Staphylococcus strains isolated from urinary catheters showed high levels of resistance to penicillin (98%) and gentamicine (75%). The data obtained shows the important role of ica-genes, the phenotypic variability of biofilm formation and the multi-resistance to antibiotics as virulence factors of staphylococcus spp. from urinary catheters.It confirms the complexity and diversity of regulation mechanisms implicated in biofilm formation.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major cause of community-acquired and nosocomial infections. This germ is responsible for acute and chronic infections, most of which are due to its ability to adhere to medical implants and form a biofilm. The objective of this work is to study the interaction between clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae and abiotic surfaces (medical devices) and some factors influencing biofilm formation. Methods: Over a period of 2 years, 115 strains of K. pneumoniae were isolated from medical devices CHU Tlemcen, most of which had a high level of resistance to cephalosporins 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd generation. Their capacity to form biofilm was assessed using 3 techniques: TCP, TP, and RCA. We determined in vitro the effects of three antimicrobial agents against planktonic and biofilm forms of K. pneumoniae. The presence of MrkD genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: According to the studied (TCP, TP, RCA) strains of K .pneumoniae isolated from urinary catheters have proved very good, forming the biofilm to those isolated from other medical devices. 24 of 115 isolated strains showed a clear difference in antibiotic susceptibility between planktonic populations and biofilm populations. They were 10-20 times higher. All strains presented a highly hydrophilic character and adhesion 2-10 times greater in PVC with respect to glass support. The MrkD gene (detected by PCR) responsible for biofilm formation was found in 22 strains of K. pneumoniae, which may explain their adhesion and therefor their pathogenicity. Conclusion:Our results show the great ability of K.pneumoniae strains to form a biofilm on medical devices, and the isolates were at least 10 times more resistant than their planktonic counterparts. In addition, we showed that the presence of type 3-encoding gene mrkD was associated with high adhesion indexes.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the species of bacteria most frequently isolated from medical devices. The ability to produce biofilm is an important step in the pathogenesis of these staphylococci infection, and biofilm formation is strongly dependent on environmental conditions as well as antibiotics and disinfectants used in the treatment and prevention of infections.Methodology: In this study, 28 S. aureus isolated from medical devices at the University Hospital Center of Sidi Bel Abbes in Northwestern Algeria were tested for biofilm formation by culture on Red Congo Agar (RCA). The tube method (TM) and tissue culture plate (TCP) techniques were also used to investigate the effect of penicillin, ethanol and betadine on pre-formed biofilm.Results: Nineteen S. aureus isolates produced biofilm on the RCA and 7 produced biofilms by the tube method, 2 of which were high producer. In addition, 9 S. aureus isolates produced biofilm on polystyrene micro-plates, and in the presence of penicillin and ethanol, this number increased to 19 and 11 biofilm producing S. aureus isolates respectively. On the other hand, no biofilm was formed in the presence of betadine.Conclusion: It is important to test for biofilm formation following an imposed external constraint such as disinfectants and antibiotics in order to develop new strategies to combat bacterial biofilms but also to better control their formation. Keywords : Staphylococcus aureus, biofilm, medical device, disinfectant, antibiotic French Title: Effets de certains désinfectants et antibiotiques sur la formation de biofilms par Staphylococcus aureus isolé à partir de dispositifs médicaux au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sidi Bel Abbès, Algérie Contexte: Staphylococcus aureus est l'une des espèces de bactéries les plus fréquemment isolées des dispositifs médicaux. La capacité de produire du biofilm est une étape importante dans la pathogenèse de ces infections à staphylocoques, et la formation de biofilm dépend fortement des conditions environnementales ainsi que des antibiotiques et des désinfectants utilisés dans le traitement et la prévention des infections. Méthodologie: Dans cette étude, 28 S. aureus isolés à partir de dispositifs médicaux au Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sidi Bel Abbès dans le nord-ouest de l'Algérie ont été testés pour la formation de biofilm par culture sur gélose rouge du Congo (RCA). La méthode des tubes (TM) et les techniques de plaques de culture tissulaire (TCP) ont également été utilisées pour étudier l'effet de la pénicilline, de l'éthanol et de la bétadine sur le biofilm préformé. Résultats: Dix-neuf isolats de S. aureus ont produit un biofilm sur le RCA et 7 ont produit des biofilms par la méthode des tubes, dont 2 étaient très productifs. De plus, 9 isolats de S. aureus ont produit du biofilm sur des microplaques en polystyrène, et en présence de pénicilline et d'éthanol, ce nombre est passé à 19 et 11 isolats de S. aureus producteurs de biofilm respectivement. En revanche, aucun biofilm ne s'est formé en présence de bétadine. Conclusion: Il est important de tester la formation de biofilm suite à une contrainte externe imposée comme les désinfectants et les antibiotiques afin de développer de nouvelles stratégies pour lutter contre les biofilms bactériens mais aussi pour mieux contrôler leur formation. Mots-clés: Staphylococcus aureus, biofilm, dispositif médical, désinfectant, antibiotique

The formation of biofilms on pieces of equipment and dental chair unit waterlines has attracted more interest and concern. This study aimed to assess the reliability of two phenotypic methods used to detect the presence of biofilms and the icaADBC operon, and identify various toxin genes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in clinical staphylococcal isolates. A total of thirty-one (31) staphylococcal strains were isolated from waterline tubings in the dental unit. Two phenotypic methods were used for the detection of biofilm production. PCR detected the presence of the ica operon, and a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of staphylococcal toxin genes was done. Biofilm production was detected in twenty-six (83.87%) isolates by tissue culture plate method (TCP). The CRA method indicated that twenty (64.51%) of these strains could produce slime. By using the ica operon test, the genotypic ability to form biofilm in was identified in fourteen (45.16%) strains. Five (16.12%) strains of Staphylococcus warneri harbored one or more toxin genes detected by PCR multiplex. The presence of ica operon gene does not always have relationship with in vitro biofilm formation and genes encoding the staphylococcal toxin. Among the strains studied, few of them had the ica operon, toxin gene, and phenotypic ability to form a biofilm at the same time.

and Meriem lachachi. This open access article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 3.0 license.