Work

The burden of antimicrobial resistance in biofilm-forming Staphylococcus spp. from Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis patients' eyes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic allergic ocular surface disease with seasonal recurrences and severe forms showing vision threatening complications. The purpose of the study is to understand the prevalence and diversity of biofilm-forming bacteria and antimicrobial resistance in VKC compared to healthy individuals (HC). For this, conjunctival swab samples were collected from VKC (n = 26) and HC (n = 23), of which culture positive samples were 77 % and 78.26 % respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed a significant increase in bacterial diversity in VKC compared to HC (p < 0.05), identifying 16 and 9 bacterial species, respectively. Staphylococcus epidermidis emerged as the predominant bacterium in both groups, with relative abundances of 52.8 % in HC and 30.2 % in VKC (p < 0.001). Biofilm formation was observed in 64.15 % of bacterial species in VKC and 31 % in HC (p < 0.001). Scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmed temporal biofilm formation by Staphylococcus spp. in both groups. Minimum inhibitory concentration testing showed that biofilm forming Staphylococcus spp. from VKC exhibited multidrug resistance (>2 antibiotics) more frequently than those from HC. Additionally, Staphylococcus spp. in VKC demonstrated higher resistance to fluoroquinolones compared to HC. These findings indicate a significantly greater prevalence of biofilm-forming and antimicrobial resistant Staphylococcus bacteria in VKC Patients compared with HC. • Bacterial diversity and biofilm forming bacteria were significantly higher in VKC compared to HC. • The predominant bacteria observed in the VKC variants were, S.haemolyticus in limbal and S.epidermidis in palpebral and mixed variants. • The MIC of tested antibiotics were higher in VKC isolates compared to HC. A greater proportion of VKC Staphylococcus isolates formed biofilms and exhibited resistance to more than 2 antibiotics. • Staphylococcus isolates from HC were 100 % sensitive to fluoroquinolones and vancomycin, while some of the VKC isolates exhibited resistance.

Source: Biofilm

DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2025.100278

Authors: Nelaveni Rupa, Pragnya Rao Donthineni, Sayan Basu, Kotakonda Arunasri

Institution: L V Prasad Eye Institute

Language: English

Topic: Ocular Infections and Treatments

Subfield: Ophthalmology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,140