Evaluation of biofilm production, gelatinase activity, and mannose-resistant hemagglutination in Acinetobacter baumannii strains.
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.
Cevahir
Nural
N
Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey. cevahir@pau.edu.tr
Demir
Melek
M
Kaleli
Ilknur
I
Gurbuz
Melahat
M
Tikvesli
Soner
S
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
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; D018093:Gelatinases