Cutibacterium acnes isolates from implant-associated infections (IAI) may represent either a causative agent of infection or a simple contaminant. Besides clinical criteria, several microbiological parameters can be used to guide the interpretation of positive C. acnes culture results. We aimed to measure and compare in-vitro biofilm production among different clinical isolates of C. acnes from IAIs. Selection of clinical C. acnes isolates (n=54), representing Slovenian cohort, and divided into 2 groups based on microbiological criteria (high vs. low probability of infection), were tested with optimized microtiter plate (MTP) assay. Each strain was tested in quadruplicates on three different MTPs. They were stained with 0,5 % crystal violet which was extracted with 30 % acetic acid and absorbance was measured at 590 nm. Maximum absorbance of isolates was obtained after 48h of incubation in saline supplemented with 1 % glucose (poor medium) and aerobic environment. Mean absorbance among all C. acnes isolates (n=54) was 0,164 O.D. (range: 0,066-0,510 O.D., SD: 0,102 O.D.). After subtracted neg. control (0,060) distribution of isolates based on the absorbance ranges was as follows: 76 % (<0,1), 10 % (0,1-0,2), 6 % (0,2-0,3), 4 % (0,3-0,4), 6 % (>0,4). Mean absorbance was 0.074 O.D. in the low-probability group and 0.134 O.D. in the high-probability group (p<0.052). Biofilm formation capacity may be one of the bacterial virulence factors predisposing the development of IAIs and may be used as an additional marker to asses significance of C. acnes in patients with IAIs.
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