title: Characterizing the in vitro biofilm phenotype of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from central venous catheters.
abstract: Central venous catheter (CVC)-related infections are commonly caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis that is able to form a biofilm on the catheter surface. Many studies involving biofilm formation by Staphylococcus have been published each adopting an own in vitro model. Since the capacity to form a biofilm depends on multiple environmental factors, direct comparison of results obtained in different studies remains challenging. This study characterized the phenotype (strong versus weak biofilm-producers) of S. epidermidis from CVCs in four different in vitro biofilm models, covering differences in material type (glass versus polymer) and nutrient presentation (static versus continuous flow). A good correlation in phenotype was obtained between glass and polymeric surfaces independent of nutrient flow, with 85% correspondence under static growth conditions and 80% under dynamic conditions. A 80% correspondence between static and dynamic conditions on polymeric surfaces could be demonstrated as well. Incubation time had a significant influence on the biofilm phenotype with only 55% correspondence between the dynamic models at different incubation times (48h versus 17h). Screening for the presence of biofilm-related genes only revealed that ica A was correlated with biofilm formation under static but not under dynamic conditions. In conclusion, this study highlights that a high level of standardization is necessary to interpret and compare results of different in vitro biofilm models.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Kerckhoven
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hotterbeekx
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lanckacker
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moons
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lammens
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kerstens
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ieven
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delputte
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Philippe G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Jorens
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Surbhi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malhotra-Kumar
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Microbiology (LMM), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. Electronic address: paul.cos@uantwerpen.be.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cos
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D062905:Central Venous Catheters / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Biofilms; In vitro; Staphylococcus epidermidis