Evaluation of the role of staphylococci in the pathomechanism of conjunctivitis

Abstract Purpose Determination of the association between ica genes and phenotypic biofilm formation in staphylococcal isolates involved conjunctivitis, their antibiotic resistance as well detection selected virulence characteristics: adhesion to epithelial cells vitro cytotoxicity. Methods The study included 26 Staphylococcus aureus (SA) epidermidis (SE) isolates. presence icaAD operon was determined by PCR assay. Phenotypic verified using microtitre plate Antibiotic performed disc diffusion method. Staphylococcal ability attach host assessed flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity on evaluated LDH Results were detected 26.9% SE 42.3% SA Only 15.3% positive for both operon. Phenotypically, 19.2% strong producers, among which three - operon-positive. About producers. Methicillin (MR) 34.6% 75% MR multidrug resistant. adhered more extensively than SE. released higher level Conclusions Adherence abilities commonly observed staphylococci associated with conjunctivitis. However, low prevalence a complete functional locus producers detected. greater extent eukaryotic cytotoxic.