Genotypic Characterization and Biofilm Production of Group B Streptococcus Strains Isolated from Bone and Joint Infections

• Published in: Microbiology spectrum 2022-04, Vol.10 (2), p.e0232921-e0232921
• Main Authors: Lacasse, Marion, Valentin, Anne-Sophie, Corvec, Stéphane, Bémer, Pascale, Jolivet-Gougeon, Anne, Plouzeau, Chloé, Tandé, Didier, Mereghetti, Laurent, Bernard, Louis, Lartigue, Marie-Frédérique
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adhesins; Adhesins, Bacterial - genetics; biofilm; Biofilms; bone and joint infections; Clinical Microbiology; Female; Genotype; group B Streptococcus; Human health and pathology; Humans; Infectious diseases; Life Sciences; MLST; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Phylogeny; pili; Research Article; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus agalactiae - genetics
• ISSN: 2165-0497; 2165-0497
• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02329-21

Bone and joint infections (BJI) represent the second cause of invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections. Biofilm formation plays a major role in BJI. This study's aim was to analyze the genetic features and biofilm production of GBS strains. In six French laboratories, 77 GBS strains isolated from BJI and 57 strains from vaginal human colonization (Hcol) were characterized and compared by Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST). PCR was used to search for the adhesins ( , , , , , , , , and ) and Pilus Islands (PI) related genes (PI-1, PI-2a, PI-2b). Biofilm production was studied by crystal violet assay. Strains were categorized into three groups, based on Specific Biofilm Formation (SBF) values defined as: weak, moderate, or strong producers. Molecular study revealed three major clonal complexes (CC) in BJI strains: CC1 (42%), CC23 (22%) and CC10 (14%). Several associations between CC and adhesin/pili were identified: CC1 with PI-1 + 2a; CC10 with PI-1 + 2a; CC17 with , PI-1+PI-2b; CC19 with , , PI-1 + 2a; CC23 with , , , PI-2a. The biofilm production was significantly different according to CC, adhesins and pili gene detection. CC10, CC23 and strains harboring produce more biofilm than CC1, PI-1 + 2a (independently). Finally, SBF values were significantly stronger for Hcol strains rather than for BJI strains (76% 40%). This study revealed that Hcol strains appeared to produce stronger biofilm than BJI strains, though they belonged to similar CCs and had the same adhesin and pili content. Bone and joint infections (BJI) are pathologies that can be life-threatening and result in compromised functional prognosis for patients. Relapses are common and often related to biofilm formation. Group B streptococci (GBS) BJI increased since the last decade. However, few data are available on this subject in the literature. Our study aims to highlight genotype and biofilm production of GBS isolates from BJI. Seventy-seven GBS strains isolated from BJI and 57 from asymptomatic human vaginal colonization were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), adhesins content, nature of the pili and the ability to form biofilm. Our results revealed that vaginal human colonization strains produced stronger biofilm than BJI strains, despite belonging to the same phylogenetic lineage and having the same adhesin and pili content.