Detection by PCR of adhesins genes and slime production in clinical Staphylococcus aureus

• Published in: Journal of basic microbiology 2008-08, Vol.48 (4), p.308-314
• Main Authors: Zmantar, Tarek, Chaieb, Kamel, Makni, Héla, Miladi, Hanene, Abdallah, Fethi Ben, Mahdouani, Kacem, Bakhrouf, Amina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesins genes (fnb A; Adhesins genes (fnb A,cna and clf A); Adhesins, Bacterial - genetics; Auricular infection; Biofilms - growth & development; cna and clf A; Culture Media; DNA, Bacterial - genetics; Ear Diseases - microbiology; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; Genes, Bacterial; Humans; ica loci; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polysaccharides, Bacterial - biosynthesis; Slime production; Staphylococcal Infections - microbiology; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - genetics; Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification; Staphylococcus aureus - physiology; Virulence Factors - genetics
• ISSN: 0233-111X; 1521-4028
• DOI: 10.1002/jobm.200700289

The presence of the ica loci and adhesins genes in clinical Staphylococcus aureus strains were considered important factors of virulence. In this study, 46 strains of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from auricular infection, and were investigated for slime production using Congo Red Agar method (CRA). In order to detect the adhesins genes (ica A, ica D, fnb A, cna, Clf A) Polymerase Chain Reaction was used. Qualitative biofilm production of S. aureus using CRA plates revealed that 56.5% of strains were slime producers. In addition 78.26% of strains were ica A and ica D positive. While the fnbA gene was present in 76.1% of isolated strains. Furthermore, 56.5% of strains have the cna gene and 30.4% were clfA positives. Overall this study confirms the presence of fnb A and ica A/ica D genes in the majority of studies S. aureus strains isolated from Staphylococcal sepsis. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)