Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recently, the dissemination of ESBL (PER-1) among Acinetobacter isolates was reported in Turkish hospitals. We investigated the presence and the association of various virulence determinants in 20 Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, of which 13 were blaPER-1 positive.
MATERIAL/METHODS: Virulence tests were slime and hemolysin production, gelatinase and protease activity, biofilm formation, and Caco2 cell adhesion. RAPD analysis was also performed with ERIC primers.
RESULTS: None of the strains was positive for slime or hemolysin production and gelatinase or protease activity. A total of 16 strains, five of which were PER-1 gene negative, formed a biofilm on polymer surfaces. There was no relation between the presence of the PER gene and biofilm formation. On the other hand, nine strains (all PER-1 gene positive) were positive in adhesion experiments to Caco2 cell lines. All PER-negative strains were negative for cell adhesion.
CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates the existence of a relation between PER-1 gene and cell adhesion in Acinetobacter strains.

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