Association of exopolysaccharide genes in biofilm developing antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa from hospital wastewater

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the relationship between antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation and genes responsible for biofilm formation. Sixty-six Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were obtained from hospital wastewater and analyzed for their antibiotic resistance. Biofilm production among the isolates was tested by indirect quantification method crystal violet assay. Biofilm-associated genes among these isolates psl, alg, and pel were also checked. The maximum resistance was observed for ampicillins (88.24%) followed by nalidixic (83.82%), and nitrofurantoin (64.71%), respectively. Biofilm phenotypes are distributed in the following categories: high 39.39% (n = 26); moderate 57.57% (n = 38), and weak 3.0% (n = 2). Among the total isolates, biofilm-associated genes were detected in 84.84% (n = 56) of isolates and the remaining isolates 15.15% (n = 10) did not harbor any genes. In this study, pslB was the most predominant gene observed (71.21%, n = 47) followed by pslA (57.57%, n = 38), pelA (45.45%, n = 30), algD (43.93%, n = 29), and pelD (27.27%, n = 18), respectively. The present study reveals that the majority of the isolates are multidrug resistant being moderate and high biofilm formers. The study implies that biofilm acts as a machinery for bacteria to survive in the hospital effluent which is an antibiotic stress environment. HIGHLIGHTS Hospital effluent carrying biofilm forming antibiotic resistant bacteria is a major threat to public health.; Dissemination of these bacteria into the surrounding environment is of major concern.; Bacterial biofilm formation enhances the antibiotic resistance.; Infection caused by these multidrug resistant isolates are difficult to treat.; Study emphasizes the need of appropriate wastewater treatment.;

Keywords

• antibiotic resistance
• biofilm
• exopolysaccharides
• hospital
• pseudomonas aeruginosa
• wastewater