Phenotypic characteristics of environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa: an in vitro study on epidemiological aspects

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Authors

GAJDÁCS Márió URBÁN Edit PALLÓS Péter MÁRTA Adrienn MATUSOVITS Danica KÁRPÁTI Krisztina BATTAH Basem HETTA Helal F. KHUSRO Ameer DORDEVIC Dani KUSHKEVYCH Ivan

Year of publication 2023
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Acta Biologica Szegediensis
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Science

Citation
Web https://abs.bibl.u-szeged.hu/index.php/abs/article/view/3378
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.14232/abs.2023.1.35-44
Keywords antimicrobial resistance, biofilm-formation, environmental, MDR, motility, One Health, pigment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, siderophores
Description Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most commonly isolated species among non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria, both from clinical samples and from environmental sources. The survival of the species in harsh conditions is ensured by the production of a protective biofilm; assessment of biofilm-forming capacity aids future pathogen eradication strategies. The aim of our present study was to assess the relationship between antibiotic resistance, biofilm-forming capacity and other phenotypic virulence factors in environmental P. aeruginosa isolates. One hundred and fourteen (n = 114) isolates were included in the study, which were obtained from various geographical regions and environmental origins. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using standard protocols. Biofilm-forming capacity and pyocyanin pigment production were tested using microtiter plate-based methods. Swarming, swimming and twitching motility, and siderophore-production were assessed using agar-plate based methodologies. Resistance in environmental isolates were highest for levofloxacin/ciprofloxacin 49.12% (n = 56), ceftazidime 42.98% (n = 49) and cefepime 35.96% (n = 41), while lowest for colistin 0% (n = 0); overexpression of RND-type efflux pumps was seen in 33.33% (n = 33) of isolates. 21.93% (n = 25) met the criteria to be classified as multidrug resistant (MDR). 17.54% (n = 20) of isolates were weak/non-biofilm producers, while (25.45%, n = 29) and (57.01%, n = 65) were moderate and strong biofilm producers, respectively. No significant differences were noted in biofilm-formation (OD570 values non-MDR [mean ± SD]: 0.396 ± 0.138 vs. MDR: 0.348 ± 0.181; p > 0.05) or pyocyanin pigment production (OD686 values non-MDR: 0.403 ± 0.169 vs. MDR: 0.484 ± 0.125; p > 0.05) between MDR and non-MDR environmental P. aeruginosa. Highest motility values were observed for swarming motility, followed by swimming and twitching motility; no relevant differences (p > 0.05) in motility were noted in the context of MDR status or biofilm-formation in the tested isolates. P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen with high medical importance, being a causative agent of recalcitrant infections, which are becoming difficult to treat with the onset of MDR. Further studies are warranted to assess biofilm-forming capacity, and to provide insights into the mechanisms underlying biofilm-formation both in isolates of clinical and environmental origins.
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