Molecular Detection of the Relationship between Biofilm Production and Antibiotic Resistance in Staphylococcus Haemolyticus

Abstract

To evaluate antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and the detection of virulence-associated genes this study was conduct. Clinical specimens samples were obtained from patients in Mosul city. susceptibility of Antibiotic was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer method with nineteen antibiotics. Biofilm production was tested using the tube adherence and microtiter plate methods. PCR was used to identifying virulence and resistance-related genes. Results showed a 94.7% resistance to ampicillin/cloxacillin and ceftriaxone, and 100% sensitivity to vancomycin and nitrofurantoin, with variability in resistance to other antibiotics. Biofilm formation was observed in all isolates. The PCR results showed that the SH gene was present in all isolates. The mecA gene, linked to methicillin resistance, was found in 88.88% of isolates, the tetK gene (tetracycline resistance) in 83.33%, and the ermC gene (erythromycin resistance) in 26.31%. Virulence factor genes, hla and fnbB, were detected in 100% and 73.68% of isolates, respectively. The findings highlight the significant antibiotic resistance, biofilm-forming ability, and horizontal gene transfer in Staphylococcus haemolyticus, emphasizing the global concern of multidrug-resistant bacteria.