title: Evaluation of biofilm production, gelatinase activity, and mannose-resistant hemagglutination in Acinetobacter baumannii strains.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen, but its pathogenic characteristics are not well defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate biofilm production, mannose-resistant hemagglutination, and gelatinase production in A. baumannii strains isolated from various clinical specimens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty six strains of A. baumannii isolated from 86 hospital inpatients were studied for biofilm formation, gelatinase activity, and mannose-resistant hemagglutination. The isolates were identified using conventional techniques and/or the API 2ONE system. Comparisons of biofilm production, gelatinase activity, and mannose-resistant hemagglutination were made by chi-squared analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty two and 61 of the isolates agglutinated human group O and AB erythrocytes in the presence of mannose, respectively. Gelatinase activity was detected in 12 isolates (14%), while 64 isolates formed biofilms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several parameters may play important roles in causing infection in colonized patients. Identifying the factors that influence virulence may help to separate the colonizing strains into those with high or low potential virulence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey. cevahir@pau.edu.tr
authors.forename: Nural
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cevahir
authors.forename: Melek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.forename: Ilknur
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaleli
authors.forename: Melahat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gurbuz
authors.forename: Soner
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tikvesli
mesh_terms: D000151:Acinetobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D040981:Acinetobacter baumannii / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006384:Hemagglutination; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; D018093:Gelatinases