Host Soluble Factors Cause Changes in Staphylococcus epidermidis Antibiotic Susceptibility and Biofilm Formation Ability

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major nosocomial pathogen with a remarkable ability to adhere to the surfaces of indwelling medical devices and form biofilms. Unlike other nosocomial pathogens, the interaction of S. epidermidis with host factors has not been the focus of substantial research. This study aimed to assess the alterations in the antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation ability of S. epidermidis in the presence of host serum factors. S. epidermidis strain RP62A was cultured in a laboratory culture medium with or without human serum/plasma, and changes in antibiotic susceptibility, biofilm formation, and gene expression were evaluated. The data obtained revealed that exposure to host serum factors increased the susceptibility of S. epidermidis to glycopeptide antibiotics and was also detrimental to biofilm formation. Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of both dltA and fmtC genes shortly after human serum/plasma exposure. The importance of transferrin-mediated iron sequestration as a host anti-biofilm strategy against S. epidermidis was also emphasized. We have demonstrated that serum factors play a pivotal role as part of the host’s anti-infective strategy against S. epidermidis infections, highlighting the importance of incorporating such factors during in vitro studies with this pathogen.