This study aimed to establish the correlation between antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation by Staphylococcus haemolyticus and to examine the impact of sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics (sub-MICs) on biofilm formation. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the disk diffusion method, and biofilm formation was determined using Congo red agar and microtiter plate methods. Antibiotic resistance and biofilm-associated genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction. The majority of the twenty-one S. haemolyticus isolates were multidrug-resistant, methicillin-resistant (MRSH) and biofilm producers, including 43 % of moderate biofilm producers. A significant correlation was observed between MRSH and MSSH isolates in terms of biofilm production. Vancomycin, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin at their sub-MICs tended to promote biofilm formation. The eno gene was present in 76.2 % of strains, followed by aap, and atlE. This study revealed a strong correlation between the biofilm-forming ability and antibiotic resistance in S. haemolyticus, which underlines a crucial public health issue.
Keywords: Biofilm-associated genes; Staphylococcus haemolyticus; Urinary tract infection; antibiotic resistance.
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