Investigation of antibacterial resistance and biofilm production capacity of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis in Guilan

Background &

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a member of the microbiota of human skin, respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract which its the most important virulence factor is the ability to form biofilms. The aim of this study was to investigate antibacterial resistance and investigation of biofilm production in clinical isolates of S. epidermidis in Guilan.Materials &

S. epidermidis were isolated from clinical specimens in Rasht. Antibiotic resistance of isolates was evaluated by disk diffusion method and phenotypic evaluation of         biofilm production capability by microplate method. The presence of genes involved in biofilm formation including icaA, icaD, bhp and aap was investigated by PCR.

Out of 70 isolated Staphylococcus epidermidis, the highest resistance was against        penicillin and vancomycin was the most effective antibiotic. In phenotypic assay, 38 isolates (54.3%) were able to produce biofilm, of which 94.7%, 55.3% and 42.1%, presence of icaA, icaD and aap genes were detected respectively. The bhp gene was not detected in the studied isolates.

The results indicate high rate of antibacterial resistance and biofilm forming ability in S. epidermidis isolates in Guilan and as a result the high potential of these isolates in              colonization, pathogenicity and acquisition of multidrug resistance.