SUMMARY
Background: Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is one of the most effective biofilm-forming organisms, biofilm contribute in protecting the microorganism from host defenses and prevent the effective penetration of antimicrobial agents. Biofilm formation is considered as an important contributing factor for the initiation and establishment of chronic infection by S. aureus and known as a major obstacle in the treatment of S. aureus infections is their ability to develop resistance to antimicrobials.Aims : To screen clinical Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA isolates for their biofilm forming abilities and their association with antimicrobial resistance.Methods: A total of 196 clinical isolates of S. aureus were obtained from different sample sources using standard microbiological techniques from three major hospitals in Gaza strip. Biofilm formation of these isolates was determined by tissue culture plate (TCP) method and tube adherence method (TM). Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using the modified Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. MRSA was detected using the cefoxitin disk test.Results: Biofilm formation was observed in 174 (88.8 %) and in 145 (74.0%) isolates of S. aureus via TCP method and TM, respectively. The highest resistance percent was for penicillin (92.9%), followed by cefoxitin (80.6%) and oxacillin (67.9%), while the lowest resistance percent was for linezolid and ceftaroline (1%). Among the 196 isolates 71.4% (N=140) were classified as MDR with a MAR index (= 0.2).A total of 158 isolates (80.6%) were identified as MRSA distributed as 90.4%, 79.4% and 70.9% from Al-Shifa, Al-Nasser pediatrics and Al-Aqsa hospitals respectively. Large proportions (82.1%) of biofilm producers were identified as MRSA. Biofilm-producing MRSA exhibited a higher percent (90.5%) when compared with the biofilm non-producer MRSA (9.5%). Importantly, 89.2% of biofilm-producing S. aureus were multidrug resistant.Conclusions: S. aureus isolates possessed high biofilm-forming ability. Biofilm-producing strains have very high tendency to exhibit antimicrobial resistance, multidrug resistance and methicillin resistance. Regular surveillance of biofilm formation by S. aureus and their antimicrobial resistance profile may lead more success in treating S. aureus infections. Keywords: Biofilm, MDR, MRSA, TCP, TM, Gaza strip, Palestine.