Genotypic and Phenotypic Evaluation of Biofilm Production and Antimicrobial Resistance in <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Isolated from Milk, North West Province, South Africa

• Main Authors: Marie Ebob Agbortabot Bissong (Author), Collins Njie Ateba (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2020-04-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<b>Background</b>: Biofilm formation in <i>S. aureus</i> may reduce the rate of penetration of antibiotics, thereby complicating treatment of infections caused by these bacteria. The aim of this study was to correlate biofilm-forming potentials, antimicrobial resistance, and genes in <i>S. aureus</i> isolates. <b>Methods</b>: A total of 64 milk samples were analysed, and 77 <i>S. aureus</i> were isolated. <b>Results</b>: Seventy (90.9%) isolates were biofilm producers. The <i>ica</i> biofilm-forming genes were detected among 75.3% of the isolates, with <i>ica</i>A being the most prevalent (49, 63.6%). The <i>ica</i>B gene was significantly (<i>P</i> = 0.027) higher in isolates with strong biofilm formation potentials. High resistance (60%-90%) of the isolates was observed against ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and penicillin, and 25 (32.5%) of <i>S. aureus</i> showed multidrug resistance (MDR) to at least three antibiotics. Five resistance genes, namely <i>blaZ</i> (29, 37.7%), <i>vanC</i> (29, 37.7%), <i>tetK</i> (24, 31.2%), tetL (21, 27.3%), and <i>msrA/B</i> (16, 20.8%) were detected. Most MDR phenotypes possessed at least one resistance gene alongside the biofilm genes. However, no distinct pattern was identified among the resistance and biofilm phenotypes. <b>Conclusions</b>: The high frequency of potentially pathogenic MDR <i>S. aureus</i> in milk samples intended for human consumption, demonstrates the public health relevance of this pathogen in the region.

Item Description

10.3390/antibiotics9040156
2079-6382