Exploration of agr types, virulence-associated genes, and biofilm formation ability in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from hemodialysis patients with vascular access infections

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024 Apr 12:14:1367016. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1367016. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus, is a pathogen commonly encountered in both community and hospital settings. Patients receiving hemodialysis treatment face an elevated risk of vascular access infections (VAIs) particularly Staphylococcus aureus, infection. This heightened risk is attributed to the characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus, , enabling it to adhere to suitable surfaces and form biofilms, thereby rendering it resistant to external interventions and complicating treatment efforts.

Methods: Therefore this study utilized PCR and microtiter dish biofilm formation assay to determine the difference in the virulence genes and biofilm formation among in our study collected of 103 Staphylococcus aureus, isolates from hemodialysis patients utilizing arteriovenous grafts (AVGs), tunneled cuffed catheters (TCCs), and arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) during November 2013 to December 2021.

Results: Our findings revealed that both MRSA and MSSA isolates exhibited strong biofilm production capabilities. Additionally, we confirmed the presence of agr types and virulence genes through PCR analysis. The majority of the collected isolates were identified as agr type I. However, agr type II isolates displayed a higher average number of virulence genes, with MRSA isolates exhibiting a variety of virulence genes. Notably, combinations of biofilm-associated genes, such as eno-clfA-clfB-fib-icaA-icaD and eno-clfA-clfB-fib-fnbB-icaA-icaD, were prevalent among Staphylococcus aureus, isolates obtained from vascular access infections.

Discussion: These insights contribute to a better understanding of the molecular characteristics associated with Staphylococcus aureus, infections in hemodialysis patients and provided more targeted and effective treatment approaches.

Keywords: Agr typing; Staphylococcus aureus; biofilm formation ability; molecular characterization; vascular access infections (VAIs); virulence genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins* / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins* / metabolism
  • Biofilms* / growth & development
  • Catheter-Related Infections / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity
  • Middle Aged
  • Renal Dialysis* / adverse effects
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / genetics
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / isolation & purification
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / pathogenicity
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / physiology
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Virulence / genetics
  • Virulence Factors* / genetics

Substances

  • Virulence Factors
  • Agr protein, Staphylococcus aureus
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Trans-Activators

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was funded by grants from the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan (Grant numbers: CMRPG6M0101–3, CMRPG6L0071 and CMRPG6J0403).