Production of extracellular polysaccharide and biofilm under different oxygen conditions by clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus non-susceptible to glycopeptides.

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus, which is able to produce an extracellular mucopolysaccharide (MP) and biofilm (SP), is an important etiologic agent in persistent and implant-related infections. This phenotype may be expressed in different levels and character depending on various environmental and/or global intracellular regulatory mechanisms. It may also be induced by sub-inhibitory concentrations of some antibiotics, for example vancomycin.