Research -Effect of Environmental Conditions on Biofilm Formation and Related Characteristics of Staphylococcus Aureus

This study investigated the biofilm formation and gene expression of Staphylococcus aureus depending on growth phase under various environments. Compared to control conditions, biofilm formation of S. aureus D8, D29 and C52 strains was significantly different in the presence of dextrose, NaCl or both dextrose and NaCl. The expression of icaA, icaD, agrD, sigB and sar genes was observed in all S. aureus. However, there was no obvious correlation of gene expression with either the growth phases of S. aureus or the additional compounds of the medium. When biofilm of S. aureus was produced in TSB alone or TSB supplemented with dextrose, NaCl or ethanol on stainless steel coupons, the survival of D8, D29 and C52 strains of S. aureus was higher than that of S. aureus ATCC 12600. These results provide new insights into the biofilm-forming ability, gene expression and survival of S. aureus grown under various environmental conditions.

Biofilm-forming ability of S. aureus was strongly dependent on environmental factors. And resistance of S. aureus biofilms on the surface of stainless steel was different depending on bacteria origin and environmental conditions. This study contributes to our understanding of the mechanism of biofilm formation in S. aureus under various environmental conditions.