Open AccessPhenotypic and genotypic virulence features of staphylococcal strains isolated from difficult-to-treat skin and soft tissue infections
Author(s) -
Mădălina Preda,
Mara Mădălina Mihai,
Luis Ovidiu Popa,
Lia-Mara Dițu,
Alina Maria Holban,
Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu,
Gabriela-Loredana Popa,
Andrei-Alexandru Muntean,
Irina Gheorghe,
Carmen Mariana Chifiriuc,
Mircea Ioan Popa
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0246478
Subject(s) - virulence , lecithinase , microbiology and biotechnology , biofilm , biology , staphylococcus aureus , staphylococcus , genotype , pseudomonas aeruginosa , bacteria , virulence factor , gene , genetics
Chronic infections represent an important burden on the healthcare system and have a significant impact on the patients’ quality of life. While Staphylococcus spp. are commensal bacteria, they can become pathogenic, leading to various types of infections. In this study we aimed to characterize the virulence profiles of staphylococcal strains involved in difficult-to-treat skin and soft tissue infections, from both phenotypic and genotypic points of view. Phenotypic ability of the strains to secrete soluble virulence factors was assessed by a culturing dependent assay and their capacity to develop biofilms on inert substrate was screened by an adapted crystal violet microtiter method. We also tested the presence of several virulence genes by PCR. Most of the studied strains were isolated from purulent secretions of acne lesions and frequently secreted two or three soluble virulence factors. Most frequently secreted soluble virulence factors were caseinase (89%), lipase (71%) and lecithinase (67%). Almost half of the strains produced a well-represented biofilm. The molecular characterization showed the presence of the genes cna , hlg , clfA , and clfB . Staphylococcal strains that produce difficult-to-treat skin and soft tissue infections seem to be characterized by an enhanced ability to produce different soluble virulence factors and to develop biofilms in vitro . Further studies need to be developed in other Staphylococcus spp. infections in order to confirm this hypothesis.