Research Article
Biofilm Formation and Detection of the icaA Gene in Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates from Ocular Infections
Karar Ali Abdulkhuder*
,
Mahmood Nabeel Awad
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
64-68
Received:
28 July 2026
Accepted:
7 August 2026
Published:
27 August 2026
Abstract: Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a major opportunistic pathogen implicated in various infections, including ocular infections. One of its key virulence factors is the ability to form biofilms, which are structured bacterial communities embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. Biofilm formation enhances bacterial survival under adverse conditions, including antibiotic exposure and host immune defenses, thereby contributing to chronic and recurrent infections. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the biofilm-forming ability of S. aureus isolates obtained from ocular infections using the Congo Red Agar (CRA) method and to detect the presence of the biofilm-associated icaA gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: A total of 35 clinical isolates of S. aureus were included in this study. Biofilm formation was assessed phenotypically using the Congo Red Agar (CRA) method. Based on the results, isolates were categorized into strong, moderate, weak, and non-biofilm producers. Additionally, PCR was performed on 10 selected isolates to detect the presence of the icaA gene, a key determinant involved in biofilm formation. Results: Out of the 35 isolates, 10 (28.6%) exhibited strong biofilm formation, 15 (42.8%) showed moderate formation, 5 (14.3%) demonstrated weak formation, and 5 (14.3%) were non-biofilm producers. Overall, 71.4% of the isolates displayed varying degrees of biofilm production, indicating a high prevalence of this virulence trait. PCR analysis revealed that 7 out of 10 tested isolates (70%) were positive for the icaA gene. A correlation was observed between phenotypic biofilm formation and the presence of the icaA gene. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a high prevalence of biofilm-forming S. aureus isolates in ocular infections and highlight the role of the icaA gene in biofilm production. The observed correlation between phenotypic and genotypic methods suggests that molecular detection can serve as a reliable complementary tool. Identification of biofilm-producing strains is essential for improving treatment strategies and reducing the risk of persistent and recurrent infections associated with biofilm-mediated antibiotic resistance.
Abstract: Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a major opportunistic pathogen implicated in various infections, including ocular infections. One of its key virulence factors is the ability to form biofilms, which are structured bacterial communities embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. Biofilm formation enhances bacterial survival under adverse ...
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Research Article
Assessment of the Clinical Value of Voriconazole Drug Interactions: A Real-world Disproportionality-Based Analysis
Yiyun Feng,
Tao Zhao,
Jiamin Zhu,
Lin Zhong,
Liting Zheng,
Ximei Zhu,
Guosong Wu,
Qinxian Wang*
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
69-81
Received:
7 August 2026
Accepted:
18 August 2026
Published:
8 September 2026
Abstract: Voriconazole (VCZ) has a narrow therapeutic window and is metabolized by CYP450 enzymes, predisposing it to adverse drug events (ADEs) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs), yet its multisystem safety profile and combination-therapy characteristics in real‑world practice remain inadequately understood. To address this gap, we extracted VCZ-related ADE reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) between Q1 2004 and Q1 2025 and applied four disproportionality methods (ROR, PRR, BCPNN, and MGPS) for single-drug signal detection, alongside additive, multiplicative, and Ω shrinkage models to assess superadditive or supermultiplicative DDI risks. A total of 36,854 reports from 12,505 patients were analyzed, revealing that males (52.73%) and individuals aged ≥64 years (31.38%) were high-prevalence groups, and most ADEs occurred within 30 days of dosing (median time-to-onset: 6.00 days). Single-drug signals predominantly affected infections/invasive diseases (21.74%), ocular disorders (9.18%), and neurological conditions (7.25%), with newly identified strong positive signals for osteochondritis dissecans and trichotheliomycosis. The DDI analysis identified 355 strong-positive combinations involving 117 drugs from 16 classes, with antineoplastics, systemic antifungals, and cardiovascular agents being the most frequent, and 49 rare combination risks (e.g., belintuzumab, ertapenem) that impacted neurological, hepatic, and renal systems. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that VCZ carries multifaceted safety risks in real-world settings, with DDI hazards spanning diverse drug classes and including rare but highly lethal signals; therefore, precise clinical monitoring should be prioritized for high-prevalence populations, early-onset periods, and high-risk drug pairs, with particular vigilance for newly recognized adverse reactions and uncommon DDI threats.
Abstract: Voriconazole (VCZ) has a narrow therapeutic window and is metabolized by CYP450 enzymes, predisposing it to adverse drug events (ADEs) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs), yet its multisystem safety profile and combination-therapy characteristics in real‑world practice remain inadequately understood. To address this gap, we extracted VCZ-related ADE ...
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