The Effect of Iatrogenic Staphylococcus epidermidis Intercellar Adhesion Operon on the Formation of Bacterial Biofilm on Polyvinyl Chloride Surfaces

Abstract Background: The intercellular adhesion gene ( ica ) of Staphylococcus epidermidis is a key factor for bacterial aggregation. This study explored the effect of ica on the formation of bacterial biofilm on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surfaces. Methods: Genes related to bacterial biofilm formation, including 16S rRNA, autolysin ( atlE ), fibrinogen binding protein gene ( fbe ), and ica were identified and sequenced from 112 clinical isolates of iatrogenic S. epidermidis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing. Based on the sequencing result, ica operon-positive ( icaADB +/ atlE +/ fbe +) and ica operon-negative ( icaADB −/ atlE +/ fbe +) strains were separated and co-cultivated with PVC material. After 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 h of co-culture, the thickness of the bacterial biofilm and quantity of bacterial colony on the PVC surface were measured under the confocal laser scanning microscope and scanning electron microscope. Results: The positive rate of S. epidermidis -specific 16SrRNA in 112 iatrogenic strains was 100% (112/112). The genotype of ica -positive ( icaADB +/ atlE +/ fbe +) strains accounted for 57.1% (64/112), and genotype of ica -negative ( icaADB −/ atlE +/ fbe +) strains accounted for 37.5% (42/112). During 30 h of co-culture, no obvious bacterial biofilm formed on the surface of PVC in the ica -positive group, however, mature bacterial biofilm structure formed after 24 h. For all time points, thickness of bacterial biofilm and quantity of bacterial colony on PVC surfaces in the ica operon-positive group were significantly higher than those in ica operon-negative group (p<0.01). Conclusions: Iatrogenic S. epidermidis can be categorized into ica operon-negative and ica operon-positive strains. The ica operon plays an important role in bacterial biofilm formation and bacterial multiplication on PVC material.