Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage before breast reconstruction: antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes—a single center in vitro observation

IntroductionInfections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in patients undergoing mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction present significant therapeutic challenges. Studies suggest that S. aureus may be transmitted from nasal carriage, potentially leading to postoperative infections. H...

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Main Authors: Sylwia Jarzynka, Anna Koryszewska-Bagińska, Tomasz Nowikiewicz, Anna Szczepańska, Gabriela Olędzka, Maria Szymankiewicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1610739/full
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author Sylwia Jarzynka
Anna Koryszewska-Bagińska
Tomasz Nowikiewicz
Tomasz Nowikiewicz
Anna Szczepańska
Gabriela Olędzka
Maria Szymankiewicz
author_facet Sylwia Jarzynka
Anna Koryszewska-Bagińska
Tomasz Nowikiewicz
Tomasz Nowikiewicz
Anna Szczepańska
Gabriela Olędzka
Maria Szymankiewicz
author_sort Sylwia Jarzynka
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionInfections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in patients undergoing mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction present significant therapeutic challenges. Studies suggest that S. aureus may be transmitted from nasal carriage, potentially leading to postoperative infections. However, knowledge regarding the potential pathogenicity of S. aureus nasal carriage strains in women undergoing breast reconstruction in Poland remains limited. This study aimed to characterize S. aureus isolates obtained from screening nasal swabs.MethodsA total of 33 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) isolates were analyzed. These strains exhibited a high prevalence of genes encoding adhesion and antibiotic resistance. The most frequently detected virulence genes included sarA (100%), an activator of protein A; cna (100%), encoding collagen adhesin; blaZ (100%), associated with β-lactamase production; the icaADBC operon (82–100%), responsible for extracellular polysaccharide synthesis and intracellular adhesion; and bap (36%), encoding a surface-associated biofilm protein.ResultsMost isolates (79–100%) demonstrated a strong capacity for biofilm formation and exopolysaccharide production, confirmed by independent methods. Notably, all strains (100%) remained susceptible to ciprofloxacin at increased exposure levels. RAPD analysis revealed low genetic diversity among the isolates.DiscussionOur findings indicate that S. aureus isolates from nasal carriers undergoing breast implantation exhibit antibiotic resistance, biofilm-forming ability, and harbor multiple virulence genes. Early detection of S. aureus colonization via nasal swab screening may be crucial for managing infection risk in patients undergoing breast reconstruction.
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spelling doaj-art-b2ddb8d73a974db9892ec2720f600a3a2025-08-20T03:22:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-06-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.16107391610739Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage before breast reconstruction: antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes—a single center in vitro observationSylwia Jarzynka0Anna Koryszewska-Bagińska1Tomasz Nowikiewicz2Tomasz Nowikiewicz3Anna Szczepańska4Gabriela Olędzka5Maria Szymankiewicz6Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Medical Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Surgical Oncology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Clinical Breast Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery, Prof. F. Łukaszczyk Oncology Centre, Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Microbiology, Prof. F. Łukaszczyk Oncology Centre, Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Medical Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Microbiology, Prof. F. Łukaszczyk Oncology Centre, Bydgoszcz, PolandIntroductionInfections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in patients undergoing mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction present significant therapeutic challenges. Studies suggest that S. aureus may be transmitted from nasal carriage, potentially leading to postoperative infections. However, knowledge regarding the potential pathogenicity of S. aureus nasal carriage strains in women undergoing breast reconstruction in Poland remains limited. This study aimed to characterize S. aureus isolates obtained from screening nasal swabs.MethodsA total of 33 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) isolates were analyzed. These strains exhibited a high prevalence of genes encoding adhesion and antibiotic resistance. The most frequently detected virulence genes included sarA (100%), an activator of protein A; cna (100%), encoding collagen adhesin; blaZ (100%), associated with β-lactamase production; the icaADBC operon (82–100%), responsible for extracellular polysaccharide synthesis and intracellular adhesion; and bap (36%), encoding a surface-associated biofilm protein.ResultsMost isolates (79–100%) demonstrated a strong capacity for biofilm formation and exopolysaccharide production, confirmed by independent methods. Notably, all strains (100%) remained susceptible to ciprofloxacin at increased exposure levels. RAPD analysis revealed low genetic diversity among the isolates.DiscussionOur findings indicate that S. aureus isolates from nasal carriers undergoing breast implantation exhibit antibiotic resistance, biofilm-forming ability, and harbor multiple virulence genes. Early detection of S. aureus colonization via nasal swab screening may be crucial for managing infection risk in patients undergoing breast reconstruction.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1610739/fullmethicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)screening nasal swabsbreast reconstructionadhesion genesantibiotic-resistant genesvirulence factors
spellingShingle Sylwia Jarzynka
Anna Koryszewska-Bagińska
Tomasz Nowikiewicz
Tomasz Nowikiewicz
Anna Szczepańska
Gabriela Olędzka
Maria Szymankiewicz
Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage before breast reconstruction: antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes—a single center in vitro observation
Frontiers in Microbiology
methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)
screening nasal swabs
breast reconstruction
adhesion genes
antibiotic-resistant genes
virulence factors
title Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage before breast reconstruction: antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes—a single center in vitro observation
title_full Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage before breast reconstruction: antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes—a single center in vitro observation
title_fullStr Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage before breast reconstruction: antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes—a single center in vitro observation
title_full_unstemmed Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage before breast reconstruction: antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes—a single center in vitro observation
title_short Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage before breast reconstruction: antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and virulence genes—a single center in vitro observation
title_sort staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage before breast reconstruction antibiotic resistance biofilm formation and virulence genes a single center in vitro observation
topic methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)
screening nasal swabs
breast reconstruction
adhesion genes
antibiotic-resistant genes
virulence factors
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1610739/full
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