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Virulence Factors, Drug Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas Species Isolated from Healthcare Water Systems

Current Microbiology volume 77, pages 1737–1745 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a frequent causative agent of healthcare-associated diseases, but recently, other members of the Pseudomonas genus have been recognized to cause human colonization and infection. Since the aquatic environment could be an important source of contamination, we studied the drug resistance and virulence profiles in Pseudomonas species isolated from healthcare water systems. 17 Pseudomonas spp. out of 57 were randomly selected and their drug resistance and virulence profiles were later evaluated. Based on the positivity to the tests, the adhesion capability and biofilm formation on polystyrene and glass surfaces were studied in 6 strains, each belonging to different species. Six Pseudomonas strains (35%) were α-hemolytic, nine (53%) showed a positivity to the gelatinase test, and P. acidovorans 2R only was capable to degrade DNA. All Pseudomonas strains presented urease activity and the production of siderophores was widely observed (64,7%). Most of the strains showed one of the three types of motilities, 15 Pseudomonas (88.23%) resulted bacteriocin producers and all strains were resistant to one or more antibiotics. Lastly, among the six selected strains, P. aeruginosa 98.5 and P. fluorescens 97.4 were the best biofilm producers. Our study has highlighted how the majority of isolates shows biological characteristics that contribute to the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas. These features emphasize the virulence potentiality of other members of the Pseudomonas genus besides Pseudomonas aeruginosa, making them potentially pathogenic, especially against immunocompromised individuals.

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This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or nonprofit sectors.

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  1. Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio E, Via Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy

    Ramona Iseppi, Carla Sabia, Moreno Bondi, Martina Mariani & Patrizia Messi

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  1. Ramona Iseppi
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  2. Carla Sabia
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  3. Moreno Bondi
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  4. Martina Mariani
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  5. Patrizia Messi
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RI, CS, and MM involved in investigation; PM, RI, and CS involved in conceptualization; and MM and MB performed literature search and writing.

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Correspondence to Patrizia Messi.

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Iseppi, R., Sabia, C., Bondi, M. et al. Virulence Factors, Drug Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas Species Isolated from Healthcare Water Systems . Curr Microbiol 77, 1737–1745 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-020-01990-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-020-01990-9