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This Article Full Text (Papers in Press[PDF]) All Versions of this Article: jmm.0.009209-0v1 58/7/855    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Google Scholar Articles by Stevens, N. Articles by Humphreys, H. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Stevens, N. Articles by Humphreys, H. Agricola Articles by Stevens, N. Articles by Humphreys, H.

Biofilm characteristics of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates associated with device-related meningitis

¹ RCSI and Beaumont Hospital;

² RCSI;

³ University College Dublin

⁴ E-mail: hhumphreys{at}rcsi.ie

Received January 5, 2009
Accepted March 20, 2009

Staphylococcus epidermidis causes biofilm device-related meningitis in neurosurgical patients. We assessed the contribution of polysaccharide and protein to the development of a strong biofilm-positive phenotype in four S. epidermidis isolates associated with likely device-related meningitis, under varying environmental conditions. RT-PCR analysis of ica and assessment of PIA production indicated a correlation between increased icaA transcription and PIA production in ica+ isolates grown in media with 4% ethanol and 4% NaCl. Treatment of biofilm with sodium meta-periodate caused dispersion of adhered cells (P <0.0001) indicating involvement of PIA. Transcriptional levels of protein factors revealed atlE levels were similar in all isolates, while aap levels were variable, with induction being seen in two isolates following growth in the presence of alcohol or salt. agr did not influence protein expression and RNAIII transcription varied amongst the strains. Although aap transcription was induced, the treatment of biofilm with proteinase-K did not always disperse the biofilm. Our data suggest that amongst the three ica+ S. epidermidis isolates clinically associated with meningitis that we have studied, PIA contributes to the strong biofilm-positive phenotype, whereas protein factors appear to have a secondary role.