Detection of Biofilm in Multidrug Resistant Staphylococcus Strains Isolated from Chicken

Abstract

Staphylococcosis infections are common in poultry worldwide because of the causative bacteria resisting a wide range of commonly used antibiotics. The formation of biofilm is the hallmark characteristic of staph infection. Biofilms constitute reservoir of pathogens and are associated with resistance to antimicrobial agent and chronic infections. In this study 90 multidrug resistant staphylococcus strains (61 coagulase- negative staphylococcus (CNS) and 29 S. aureus) were screened by tissue culture plate method for biofilm formation and presence of mecA, icaA, and icaD genes by PCR technique. 38 (42.2%) isolates were strongly positive for biofilm production, 49 (54.4%) were moderate biofilm producers and 3 (3.4%) were weak or negative for biofilm formation. All biofilm producing strains were positive for icaA and icaD genes, and all biofilm negative strains were negative for icaA gene. Biofilm production was higher in methicillin resistant strains as compared to the methicillin sensitive strains of Staphylococcus species. From this study attention should be given in treatment of staphylococcus because Staphylococci isolated showed a high extent of biofilm production. All biofilm producing Staphylococci are positive for icaA and icaD genes, which indicates the important role of ica genes as virulence markers in staphylococcal infections.