Biofilm Activity in Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci

Presenter Information

Collin Palmer, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Ofelio Zavala, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

10-4-2018 10:00 AM

End Date

10-4-2018 11:30 AM

Student's Major

Biological Sciences

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Timothy Secott

Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

Methicillin resistance in staphylococcal infections is a significant concern because of the very limited availability of antimicrobials that are available to treat infections caused by these organisms. We have repeatedly detected methicillin resistance in coagulase-negative (non-S. aureus) staphylococci (CNS) isolated from students in Medical Microbiology, indicating that these weakly-pathogenic organisms can serve as a reservoir methicillin resistance. We wanted to determine if these organisms could also harbor genes for biofilm formation, enabling these organisms to colonize hosts more efficiently. Methicillin-resistant CNS were assayed for their ability to form biofilms using a static biofilm assay. Of eight CNS isolates tested, four were observed to form biofilms. Polymerase Chain Reaction testing for ica genes, those associated with S. aureus biofilm formation, revealed that all biofilm-positive isolates also contained ica genes. We conclude that not only may CNS act as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance, but that acquisition of virulence genes such as those associated with biofilm formation may result in the evolution of previously avirulent organisms into those capable of causing significant disease.