Scholarlink

Background <p>Dental clinic surfaces may serve as reservoirs for opportunistic pathogens that can survive environmental stress, persist on abiotic surfaces, and contribute to cross-contamination. This study investigated the phenotypic biofilm-forming capacity and selected biofilm-associated virulence genes of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. isolated from environmental surfaces in a university dental clinic in Kütahya, Türkiye.</p> Methods <p>A total of 196 environmental surface samples were collected from five clinical units. Biofilm-forming capacity was assessed using the crystal violet microtiter plate assay. The presence of <i>icaA</i> and <i>icaD</i> in <i>S. aureus</i> isolates and <i>gelE</i> and <i>esp</i> in <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. isolates was determined by PCR.</p> Results <p>Overall, 84 <i>S. aureus</i> and 64 <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. isolates were recovered. Biofilm production was detected in 78.6% of <i>S. aureus</i> isolates and 98.4% of <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. isolates. Moderate and strong biofilm production was more frequent among <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. Molecular analysis identified <i>icaD</i> in 65.5% and <i>icaA</i> in 19.0% of <i>S. aureus</i> isolates. Among <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. isolates, <i>gelE</i> and <i>esp</i> were detected in 46.9% and 34.4%, respectively, while 14.1% carried both genes.</p> Conclusions <p>Dental clinic surfaces may harbor <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. isolates with substantial biofilm-forming capacity and selected virulence-associated genes. The predominance of moderate and strong biofilm production among <i>Enterococcus</i> spp. suggests a potential for persistence under the tested conditions. These findings support routine environmental surveillance and surface-specific cleaning and disinfection strategies, particularly for frequently contacted dental equipment.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Dental clinic surfaces as reservoirs of biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus spp. isolates: phenotypic and genotypic analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月3日

查看全文
  • Elif Aydin,
  • Eda İzgi

摘要

Background

Dental clinic surfaces may serve as reservoirs for opportunistic pathogens that can survive environmental stress, persist on abiotic surfaces, and contribute to cross-contamination. This study investigated the phenotypic biofilm-forming capacity and selected biofilm-associated virulence genes of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus spp. isolated from environmental surfaces in a university dental clinic in Kütahya, Türkiye.

Methods

A total of 196 environmental surface samples were collected from five clinical units. Biofilm-forming capacity was assessed using the crystal violet microtiter plate assay. The presence of icaA and icaD in S. aureus isolates and gelE and esp in Enterococcus spp. isolates was determined by PCR.

Results

Overall, 84 S. aureus and 64 Enterococcus spp. isolates were recovered. Biofilm production was detected in 78.6% of S. aureus isolates and 98.4% of Enterococcus spp. isolates. Moderate and strong biofilm production was more frequent among Enterococcus spp. Molecular analysis identified icaD in 65.5% and icaA in 19.0% of S. aureus isolates. Among Enterococcus spp. isolates, gelE and esp were detected in 46.9% and 34.4%, respectively, while 14.1% carried both genes.

Conclusions

Dental clinic surfaces may harbor S. aureus and Enterococcus spp. isolates with substantial biofilm-forming capacity and selected virulence-associated genes. The predominance of moderate and strong biofilm production among Enterococcus spp. suggests a potential for persistence under the tested conditions. These findings support routine environmental surveillance and surface-specific cleaning and disinfection strategies, particularly for frequently contacted dental equipment.