摘要
Objective:To characterize biofilm production by clinical(n=21)and environmental(n=11)isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei and evaluate the production of proteases,hemolysins and siderophores.Methods:Initially,the 32 strains were evaluated for biofilm production in Müller-Hinton broth-1%glucose(MH-1%glucose)and BHI broth-1%glucose,using the crystal violet staining technique.Subsequently,growing(48 h)and mature(72 h)biofilms were evaluated by confocal microscopy.Finally,the production of proteases,hemolysins and siderophores by planktonic aggregates,growing biofilms and mature biofilms was evaluated.Results:All isolates produced biofilms,but clinical isolates had significantly higher biomass in both MH-1%glucose(P<0.001)and BHI-glucose 1%(P=0.005).The structural analyses by confocal microscopy showed thick biofilms,composed of multiple layers of cells,homogeneously arranged,with mature biofilms of clinical isolates presenting higher biomass(P=0.019)and thickness of the entire area(P=0.029),and lower roughness coefficient(P=0.007)than those of environmental isolates.Protease production by growing biofilms was significantly greater than that of planktonic(P<0.001)and mature biofilms(P<0.001).Hemolysin release by planktonic aggregates was higher than that of biofilms(P<0.001).Regarding siderophores,mature biofilms presented higher production than growing biofilms(P<0.001)and planktonic aggregates(P<0.001).Conclusions:Clinical isolates have higher production of biofilms than their environmental counterparts;protease and siderophores seem important for growth and maintenance of Burkholderia pseudomallei biofilms.
