title: Genotypic and Phenotypic Characterization of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Strains from a Pediatric Tertiary Care Hospital in Serbia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an environmental bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen usually associated with healthcare-associated infections, which has recently been recognized as a globally multi-drug resistant organism. The aim of this study was genotyping and physiological characterization of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolated in a large, tertiary care pediatric hospital in Belgrade, Serbia, hosting the national reference cystic fibrosis (CF) center for pediatric and adult patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We characterized 42 strains of cystic fibrosis (CF) and 46 strains of non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) origin isolated from 2013 to 2015 in order to investigate their genetic relatedness and phenotypic traits. Genotyping was performed using sequencing of 16S rRNA gene, Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multi locus sequencing typing (MLST) analysis. Sensitivity to five relevant antimicrobial agents was determined, namely trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and tetracycline. Surface characteristics, motility, biofilm formation and adhesion to mucin were tested in all strains. Statistical approach was used to determine correlations between obtained results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the isolates were not genetically related. Six new sequence types were determined. Strains were uniformly sensitive to all tested antimicrobial agents. The majority of isolates (89.8%) were able to form biofilm with almost equal representation in both CF and non-CF strains. Swimming motility was observed in all strains, while none of them exhibited swarming motility. Among strains able to adhere to mucin, no differences between CF and non-CF isolates were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High genetic diversity among isolates implies the absence of clonal spread within the hospital. Positive correlation between motility, biofilm formation and adhesion to mucin was demonstrated. Biofilm formation and motility were more pronounced among non-CF than CF isolates.
authors: University of Belgrade, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Haowa
authors: H
authors: Madi
authors: University of Belgrade, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Jovanka
authors: J
authors: Lukić
authors: Institute for Mother and Child Health Care of Serbia "Dr Vukan Čupić", Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Zorica
authors: Z
authors: Vasiljević
authors: University of Belgrade, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Marjan
authors: M
authors: Biočanin
authors: University of Belgrade, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Milan
authors: M
authors: Kojić
authors: University of Belgrade, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia.|University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Branko
authors: B
authors: Jovčić
authors: University of Belgrade, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia.|University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Lozo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018441:Biofilms; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D058885:Multilocus Sequence Typing; D010641:Phenotype; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D055771:Serbia; D020615:Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S