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BMC Infectious Diseases

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Comparative study of virulence factors among methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates

Authors: Ons Haddad, Abderrahmen Merghni, Aida Elargoubi, Hajer Rhim, Yosr Kadri, Maha Mastouri

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is recognized worldwide as a leading cause of hospital and community infections. Biofilm formation by MRSA is an extremely important virulence factor to be understood. Our aim was to establish phenotypic and genotypic characterization of virulence factors among 43 MRSA clinical isolates in a Tunisian hospital.

Methods

We investigated enzymatic profiles, biofilm production and prevalences of genes encoding intracellular adhesion molecules (icaA and icaD), Microbial Surface Components Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules genes (fnbA, fnbB and cna) and exoenzymes genes (geh, sspA and sspB).

Results

Our findings revealed that caseinase, gelatinase, lipase and lecithinase activities were detected in 100%, 100%, 76.6% and 93.3% of cases respectively. This study showed that 23 strains (76.7%) were slime producers on Congo red medium. Furthermore, 46.5% and 53.5% of isolates were respectively highly and moderately biofilm-forming on polystyrene. Significant association was found between both biofilm tests. PCR detection showed that 74.4%, 18.6%, 69.8%, 65.1% and 74.4% of isolates harbored fnbA, fnbB, icaA, icaD and cna genes respectively. In addition, 34.9%, 18.6% and 30.2% of MRSA strains were found positive for sspA, sspB and geh genes respectively. Further, statistical data showed that the presence of the fnbA and fnbB genes was significantly associated with a high biofilm production on polystyrene. However, no statistical association was observed for the icaA, icaD and cna genes.

Conclusions

This study indicates that the detection of fnbA and fnbB contributing to the first step of biofilm formation has been predictable of high biofilm production. As studied factors contribute to MRSA virulence, this research could be of value in orienting towards the development of new preventive and therapeutic measures.

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Title: Comparative study of virulence factors among methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates
Authors: Ons Haddad
Abderrahmen Merghni
Aida Elargoubi
Hajer Rhim
Yosr Kadri
Maha Mastouri
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-018-3457-2

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Comparative study of virulence factors among methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

Background

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Conclusions

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