EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURING ON THE INTENSITY OF BIOFILM FORMATION BY KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE STRAINS

Due to the prevalence of biofilm infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, in laboratory diagnostic practice it has a great importance to obtain a standard model of Klebsiella biofilm for evaluating the bactericidal effect and effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs. Describes the method of Klebsiella biofilms formation in vitro. The intensity of biofilm formation was evaluated by the ability of bacteria to bind the crystal violet. The degree of film formation was measured by optical density. The presence of an intercellular matrix was confirmed by staining of Congo-red solution followed by light microscopy. The effect of exogenous and endogenous factors on biofilm formation by K. pneumoniae strains was investigated. The influence of the nutrient composition, the age of the culture («daily», «weekly»), the presence of oxygen and the temperature conditions were studied. The nutrient composition of the medium significantly influenced on biofilm formation of K. pneumoniae: DMEM stimulated biofilm formation in most strains in vitro compared to TSB. The age of the culture (daily, weekly) did not significantly affect the biofilm formation of Klebsiella. At the same time, the temperature of culturing and the presence of oxygen can both stimulate and inhibit biofilm formation, depending on the strain under study. Most strains of Klebsiella better form a biofilm under aerobic conditions at 37º C.