Antibiotic resistance, bioflm formation, and virulence genes of Streptococcus agalactiae serotypes of Indian origin

Abstract

Abstract Background Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a causative agent of various infections in newborns, immunocompro mised (especially diabetic) non-pregnant adults, and pregnant women. Antibiotic resistance profling can provide insights into the use of antibiotic prophylaxis against potential GBS infections. Virulence factors are responsible for host–bacteria interactions, pathogenesis, and bioflm development strategies. The aim of this study was to deter mine the bioflm formation capacity, presence of virulence genes, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of clinical GBS isolates. Results The resistance rate was highest for penicillin (27%; n=8 strains) among all the tested antibiotics, which indi cates the emergence of penicillin resistance among GBS strains. The susceptibility rate was highest for ofoxacin (93%; n=28), followed by azithromycin (90%; n=27). Most GBS strains (70%; n=21) were strong bioflm producers and the rest (30%; n=9) were moderate bioflm producers. The most common virulence genes were cylE (97%), pavA (97%), cfb (93%), and lmb (90%). There was a negative association between having a strong bioflm formation phenotype and penicillin susceptibility, according to Spearman’s rank correlation analysis. Conclusion About a third of GBS strains exhibited penicillin resistance and there was a negative association between having a strong bioflm formation phenotype and penicillin susceptibility. Further, both the strong and moderate bioflm producers carried most of the virulence genes tested for, and the strong bioflm formation phenotype was not associated with the presence of any virulence genes.