Presence and mRNA Expression of the Family Genes in Clinical and Non-clinical (Healthy Conjunctiva and Healthy Skin) Isolates of .

UNLABELLED

possesses family genes, including A, S, R, T, U, V, X, Y, Z, and , which are transcription factors involved in biofilm formation and quorum sensing. In contrast, has A, R, V, X, Y, Z, and genes; specifically, SarA, Z, and X are involved in biofilm formation. The expression of the family members in isolated from clinical and non-clinical environments is unknown. This study aimed to establish if clinical and non-clinical isolates of express the family members. We genotyped isolates from clinical ocular infections (n = 52), or non-clinical healthy conjunctiva (n = 40), and healthy skin (n = 50), using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and the staphylococcal chromosomal cassette (SCC). We selected strains with different genotypes and representatives of each source of isolation, and the presence of the family genes was detected using PCR and RT-qPCR to determine their expression. The family genes were present in all selected strains, with no observed differences. The relative expression of the family showed that all selected strains expressed each gene weakly, with no significant differences observed between them or between different sources of isolation. In conclusion, the presence and relative expression of the family genes are very similar among strains, with no differences based on their origin of isolation and genotype.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-024-01339-x.