Neuraminidase produces dose-dependent decrease of slime production and adherence of slime-forming, coagulase-negative staphylococci.
BACKGROUND
Slime is one of the important structures of certain bacterial strains involved in nonspecific adherence. This study was conducted to determine the role of neuraminidase on slime formation and adherence of slime-forming coagulase-negative staphylococci to inert surface.


METHODS
Quantitative biofilm and qualitative bacterial adherence assays were performed with increasing concentrations of neuraminidase extracted from Clostridium perfringens-treated bacteria in polystyrene plates and polypropylene tubes.


RESULTS
Slime production of slime-forming, coagulase-negative staphylococci was significantly decreased dose dependently at > or =100 mU/mL (p <0.001). Bacterial adherence to smooth surface was impeded at > or =100 mU/mL of neuraminidase treatment and adherence results were comparable with slime production assay results.


CONCLUSIONS
Sialic acid may be a constituent molecule of slime and involved in bacterial adherence to inert surface. These results represent new insight into the mechanism of slime production and adherence of slime-forming, coagulase-negative staphylococci to inert surface.
Sakarya
Serhan
S
Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin 09100, Turkey. serhansakarya@yahoo.com
Oncu
Serkan
S
Oncu
Selcen
S
Ozturk
Barcin
B
Tuncer
Gunay
G
Sari
Cavide
C
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D018441:Biofilms; D003030:Coagulase; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000401:mortality; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D013499:Surface Properties
D003030:Coagulase; D009439:Neuraminidase; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid