RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 William da Fonseca Batistão, Deivid A1 Amaral de Campos, Paola A1 Caroline Camilo, Nayara A1 Royer, Sabrina A1 Fuga Araújo, Bruna A1 Spirandelli Carvalho Naves, Karinne A1 Martins, Margarida A1 Olívia Pereira, Maria A1 Henriques, Mariana A1 Pinto Gontijo-Filho, Paulo A1 Botelho, Cláudia A1 Oliveira, Rosário A1 Marques Ribas, RosineideYR 2016 T1 Biofilm formation of Brazilian meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains: prevalence of biofilm determinants and clonal profiles JF Journal of Medical Microbiology, VO 65 IS 4 SP 286 OP 297 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.000228 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1473-5644, AB Biofilms plays an important role in medical-device-related infections. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence adherence and biofilm production, as well as the relationship between strong biofilm production and genetic determinants in clinical isolates of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Fifteen strains carrying different chromosomal cassettes recovered from hospitalized patients were selected; five SCCmecII, five SCCmecIII and five SCCmecIV. The SCCmec type, agr group and the presence of the virulence genes (bbp, clfA, icaA, icaD, fnbB, bap, sasC and IS256) were assessed by PCR. PFGE and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) techniques were also performed. The initial adhesion and biofilm formation were examined by quantitative assays. The surface tension and hydrophobicity of the strains were measured by the contact angle technique to evaluate the association between these parameters and adhesion ability. SCCmecIII and IV strains were less hydrophilic, with a high value for the electron acceptor parameter and higher adhesion in comparison with SCCmecII strains. Only SCCmecIII strains could be characterized as strong biofilm producers. The PFGE showed five major pulsotypes (A–E); however, biofilm production was related to the dissemination of one specific PFGE clone (C) belonging to MLST ST239 (Brazilian epidemic clonal complex). The genes agrI, fnbB and IS256 in SCCmecIII strains were considered as genetic determinants associated with strong biofilm-formation by an ica-independent biofilm pathway. This study contributes to the understanding of biofilm production as an aggravating factor potentially involved in the persistence and severity of infections caused by multidrug-resistant MRSA belonging to this genotype., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.000228