Biofilm formation by bacteria isolated from upper respiratory tract before and after adenotonsillectomy

Abstract

Failure of antibiotics to eradicate the microbial pathogens primarily responsible for otorhinolaryngological diseases has led to the hypothesis that these microorganisms may be structured in a biolfilm. Aim of the study was to evaluate the ability to produce biofilm among bacteria isolated from tonsils and/or adenoids and nasopharynx. Biopsies and swabs were collected during surgery and after 3 and 6 months in 32 children undergoing adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. Production of biofilm by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae was evaluated in vitro by means of spectrophotometry after growth in microplates and staining with crystalviolet. Of the isolates from intraoperative samples, 44.7% were either moderate or strong biofilm producers compared with 27% of isolates at 6 months after surgery. A decrease in biofilm production was observed for H. influenzae and S. aureus. In conclusion, the rate of isolation and ability to form biofilm decreased in bacteria isolated subsequent to adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. This suggests a role for biofilm in pathogenesis of recurrent and chronic pharyngeal diseases and rhinopharingitis.

Incorporation of Phosphorylcholine into the Lipooligosaccharide of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Does Not Correlate with the Level of Biofilm Formation In Vitro

“…The ability of NTHi to form biofilms in vitro is highly strain specific (21)(22)(23)(24), but the mechanism that determines whether a particular strain is able to form a biofilm is not known. Based on those previous studies, our work aimed to investigate whether the presence of PCho was associated with the level of biofilm formation by clinical NTHi strains isolated from the oropharynx of healthy children, middle ear fluid of children with OM, and sputum of adult patients with COPD and CAP.…”

Quantification of biofilm formation on silicone intranasal splints: An in vitro study

“…The obtained results showed significantly greater capacity of S. aureus strains in biofilm production compared with M. catarrhalis strains. Drago et al [22] reported similar findings with S. aureus and M. catarrhalis strains isolated from upper respiratory tract; however, to the best of our knowledge, this investigation is the first one examining different capacities of biofilm formation of respiratory pathogens on 308 PAVLOVIĆ ET AL.…”

The presence of biofilm-producing bacteria on tonsils is associated with increased exhaled nitric oxide levels: preliminary data in children who experience recurrent exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis

“…Hence, we performed the simpler and more cost-effective spectrophotometry according to Christensen et al; 12 this technique is frequently used to quantify biofilm formation, 12 as described in our previous studies. [13][14][15][16][17] In our case series, S aureus was the most frequently detected biofilm-producing bacteria (78.6 per cent) followed at a considerable distance by S pyogenes (14.3 per cent). This finding confirms the results of previous studies that indicate the predominant involvement of Gram-positive organisms in biofilm-related chronic tonsillar infections.…”

“…[13][14][15][16][17] In order to ensure biofilm development, after 18 hours' incubation, 20 μl of the bacterial cultures was added to each well in a 96-well polystyrene tissue culture plate (Falcon, San Jose, California, USA) containing 180 μl of an appropriate growth medium (tryptic soy broth or haemophilus test medium), and incubated for a further 18 hours at 37°C in ambient air or a 10 per cent CO 2 -enriched atmosphere. After the biofilms had developed, the growth medium was discarded, and each well was washed three times with 200 μl of sterile normal saline to eliminate any unbound bacteria.…”