Evaluation of mixed biofilm production by Candida spp. and Staphylococcus aureus strains co-isolated from cystic fibrosis patients in northwest Algeria

Karima Gourari-Bouzouina; Zahia Boucherit-Otmani; Abdelfettah Seghir; Zahira Zakia Baba Ahmed-Kazi Tani; Imene Bendoukha; Abdeselem Benahmed; Mohammed Aissaoui; Kebir Boucherit

doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116321

Evaluation of mixed biofilm production by Candida spp. and Staphylococcus aureus strains co-isolated from cystic fibrosis patients in northwest Algeria

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2024 Apr 26;109(3):116321. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116321. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Karima Gourari-Bouzouina¹, Zahia Boucherit-Otmani², Abdelfettah Seghir², Zahira Zakia Baba Ahmed-Kazi Tani², Imene Bendoukha², Abdeselem Benahmed², Mohammed Aissaoui³, Kebir Boucherit²

Affiliations

¹ Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria. Electronic address: karima.bouzouina@univ-tlemcen.dz.
² Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria.
³ Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LAPSAB), Department of Biology, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria; Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Tamanghasset, Tamanghasset 11000, Algeria.

PMID: 38677054
DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116321

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis patients' lungs are chronically colonized by multiple microbial species capable of forming biofilms. This study aimed to characterize the polymicrobial biofilm formed by Candida spp. and S. aureus, co-isolated from sputum samples of cystic fibrosis patients regarding microbial density, metabolic activity, and structure. 67 samples from 28 patients were collected with a 96% alteration rate. 34% showed alterations by both Candida spp. and Gram-positive bacteria, predominantly Candida spp. and S. aureus in 77% of cases, accounting for 6 associations. Biofilm biomass was quantified using the crystal violet assay, and metabolic activity was assessed using the MTT reduction assay. Scanning electron microscopy analyzed the C. tropicalis/S. aureus24 biofilm architecture. Candida spp. isolates demonstrated the ability to form mixed biofilms with S. aureus. The C. tropicalis/S. aureus24 association exhibited the highest production of biofilm and metabolic activity, along with the C. albicans17/C. rugosa/S. aureus7 in both single and mixed biofilms.

Keywords: Candida spp.; Cystic fibrosis; Mixed biofilm; Staphylococcus aureus.