The dynamics of staphylococcus epidermis biofilm formaTion in relaTion To nuTriTion , TemperaTure , and Time

The ability to form biofilm is one of the most important virulence factors occurring in microbes. The biofilm-forming bacteria are difficult to eradicate with antibiotics and often cause chronic infections. The aim of this study was to correlate the dynamics of biofilm formation with nutrition and temperature conditions during the cultivation in biofilm-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates. The cultivation was performed on standard microtitre plates and the wells were examined for the production of biofilm every 1 hr up to 48 hrs. All the tested strains showed better growth of the biofilm at a temperature of 37 °C in a nutrient-richer environment. The first signs of bacterial adhesion were visible after 2–4 hours of cultivation, the first homogenous but a very thin layer was visible after 5 hours; after 7 hours the biofilm layer was circa three times thicker. After 10 hours the biofilm layer seemed to be mature – the changes in thickness were not so evident after this time. After a cultivation longer than 34–42 hours, parts of the biofilm layer started to detach, and consequently the biofilm became non-homogeneous. For biofilm studies, a biofilm cultivation for 12–16 hours should be sufficient.