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Biofilm Formation by Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

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Abstract

Many diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus are associated with biofilm formation. However, the ability of S. aureus isolates from skin and soft tissue infections to form biofilms has not yet been investigated. We tested 160 isolates from patients with various skin infections for biofilm-forming capacity in different growth media. All the isolates formed biofilms, the extent of which depended on the type of growth medium. The thickest biofilms were formed when both plasma and glucose were present in the broth; in this case, S. aureus incorporated host fibrin into the biofilm’s matrix. There were no differences in the biofilm formation between isolates from different types of skin infections, except for a particularly good biofilm formation by isolates from diabetic wounds and a weaker biofilm formation by isolates from impetigo. In conclusion, biofilm formation is a universal behavior of S. aureus isolates from skin infections. In some cases, such as in diabetic wounds, a particularly strong biofilm formation most likely contributes to the chronic and recurrent character of the infection. Additionally, as S. aureus apparently uses host fibrin as part of the biofilm structure, we suggest that plasma should be included more frequently in in vitro biofilm studies.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Maria Karlsson, whose research was essential for the creation of the isolate collection. This study was supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council, the Swedish agreement concerning research and education of doctors, the Göteborg Medical Society, the Swedish Medical Society, the Rune and Ulla Amlövs Foundation, the Tore Nilsons Foundation, the Wilhelm and Martina Lundgren Foundation, the Göteborg Association against Rheumatism, the Stiftelsen Clas Groschinskys Minnesfond, and the University of Gothenburg.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Jakub Kwiecinski & Tao Jin

  2. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Central Hospital, Växjö, Sweden

    Gunnar Kahlmeter

Authors
  1. Jakub Kwiecinski
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  2. Gunnar Kahlmeter
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  3. Tao Jin
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Correspondence to Jakub Kwiecinski.

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Kwiecinski, J., Kahlmeter, G. & Jin, T. Biofilm Formation by Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Skin and Soft Tissue Infections. Curr Microbiol 70, 698–703 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-014-0770-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-014-0770-x

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