A simple technique to detect klebsiella biofilm-forming strains. Inhibitory potential of lactobacillus fermentum CRL 1058 whole cells and products

Abstract

Klebsiella is one of the pathogens able to form biofilm and then to produce Catheter Associated Infections (CAI). The capability to form biofilm can be considered as a virulence factor. Lactobacilli are included into the potential protective microorganisms to be used for bacteriotherapy to prevent CAI and Urinary tract Infections (UTI). The aim of this work was to isolate Klebsiella strains from CAI and UTI, and to set up a simple technique to detect the biofilm-forming strains in polystyrene microplates by using a spectrophometric assay. Also, to study the kinetics of biofilm formation, supported by standard microbiological assays. Lactobacillus fermentum CRL 1058 whole cells, acid and neutralized supernatants were tested for their inhibitory potential against one biofilm-forming Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp pneumoniae strain selected. The results show that the microplate technique is easy to perform, allows the rapid screening of many strains, and also that lactobacilli whole cells and the acid supernatant inhibit in higher degree that the neutralized supernatant to the biofilm produced by Klebsiella.