High-throughput molecular identification of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from a clean room facility in an environmental monitoring program.

BACKGROUND: The staphylococci are one of the most common environmental isolates found in clean room facility. Consequently, isolation followed by comprehensive and accurate identification is an essential step in any environmental monitoring program.
FINDINGS: We have used the API Staph identification kit (bioMérieux, France) which depends on the expression of metabolic activities and or morphological features to identify the Staphylococcus isolates. The API staphylococci showed low sensitivity in the identification of some species, so we performed molecular methods based on PCR based fingerprinting of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase encoding gene as useful taxonomic tool for examining Staphylococcus isolates.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that PCR protocol used in this study which depends on genotypic features was relatively accurate, rapid, sensitive and superior in the identification of at least 7 species of Staphylococcus than API Staph which depends on phenotypic features.

Background

In aseptic processing, one of the most important laboratory controls is the environmental monitoring program. This program is a defined, documented program that describes the routine particulate and microbiological monitoring of processing and manufacturing areas and includes a corrective action plan when action levels are exceeded. Environmental monitoring should promptly identify potential routes of contamination, allowing for implementation of corrections before product contamination occurs through evaluating the quality of air and surfaces in the clean room environment. The monitoring program should cover all production shifts and should include air, floors, walls, and equipment surfaces, including the critical surfaces that come in contact with the product, container, and closures. Samples should be taken throughout the classified areas of the aseptic processing facility (e.g., aseptic corridors, gowning rooms) using scientifically sound sampling procedures. Sample sizes should be sufficient to optimize detection of environmental contaminants at levels that might be expected in a given clean area.

It is important that locations posing the most microbiological risk to the product be a key part of the program. It is especially important to monitor the microbiological quality of the critical area to determine whether or not aseptic conditions are maintained during filling and closing activities. Air and surface samples should be taken at the locations where significant activity or product exposure occurs during production. Critical surfaces that come in contact with the sterile product should remain sterile throughout an operation. Critical surface sampling should be performed at the conclusion of the aseptic processing operation to avoid direct contact with sterile surfaces during processing. Detection of microbial contamination on a critical site would not necessarily result in batch rejection.

Environmental monitoring of critical and controlled areas must include a comprehensive viable monitoring program which considers the following: frequency of sampling, time at which the samples are taken (i.e., during or at the conclusion of operations), duration of sampling, sample size (e.g., surface area, air volume), specific sampling equipment and techniques, alert and action levels and appropriate response to deviations from alert or action levels.

The staphylococci are one of the most common bacterial isolates found in clean room facilities. Staphylococci are the causative agents of many opportunistic human and animal infections and are considered among the most important pathogens isolated in the clinical microbiology laboratory [1]. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) represent the majority of the species and are considered to be saprophytic or potentially pathogenic. Several species of the CNS have been involved in nosocomial infections related to implanted medical devices such as intravenous catheters, prosthetic heart valves and orthopedic implants. The species that most frequently cause diseases are Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Other significant opportunistic pathogens include Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus simulans, Staphylococcus cohnii, Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus saccharolyticus, and Staphylococcus lugdunensis [2,3].

Consequently, isolation followed by comprehensive and accurate identification of the distinct Staphylococcus species is of extreme importance in order to initiate the proper antibiotic therapy. Several methods for the identification of Staphylococcus spp. have been proposed. These methods usually detect traditional phenotypic properties and are available in miniaturized form for automation and convenience. The identification methods now in use range from the fully automated identification and susceptibility test systems such as the VITEK 2 (bioMérieux, France) and the BD Phoenix system (Beckton Dickinson, MD, USA) to the API Staph identification kit (bioMérieux, France) [4-6]. In addition to the previous methods, gas-liquid chromatography analysis of cellular fatty acids is also used [7]. However, methods based on phenotypic characterization are hampered by the fact that they depend on the expression of metabolic activities and or morphological features and consequently, many isolates are still poorly identified and supplementary methods are often required for complete and accurate identification.

Molecular methods such as PCR-based fingerprinting have been also used successfully for Staphylococcus identification at the species level [8-12]. PCR amplification of the 16 S rRNA gene, sodA and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gap gene has been reported [13-19]. It has been described that Staphylococcus aureus as well as number of coagulase-negative staphylococci, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus hominis have a 42-kDa transferrin-binding protein (Tpn) in common, located within cell wall. This protein is a member of the newly emerging family of multifunctional cell wall-associated glyceraldahyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases which catalyze the conversion of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to 1, 3 diphosphoglycerate and incorporate binding sites for both transferrin and the serine protease plasmin [20-23]. Although the gene product in both Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Staphylococcus warneri, is unable to bind to human transferrin [22], the gap gene sequence can still be amplified by PCR. Analysis of the gap gene represents a high-throughput reproducible method that allows identification of distinct Staphylococcus species [23].

In this paper we describe a high-throughput and rapid identification method using both API Staph identification system followed by PCR analysis of the gap gene, for various Staphylococcus species isolated from environmental samples taken from air, surface, and personnel (filling, filtration and sterility areas) as a part of routine environmental monitoring program in pharmaceutical clean room facility at VACSERA (Holding Company for Biological Products & Vaccines) laboratories in Giza, Egypt.

Materials and methods

Sampling methods for routine environmental monitoring

Active air sampling

By slit-to-agar (Biological air sampler, model STA-204, New Brunswick scientific, NJ, USA) where air was drawn through slit, which rotates across the surface of an agar plate around central axis. The speed of rotation was set so that the whole surface of the plate was covered within one hour [24-26].

Passive air sampling

Settling plates (Petri dishes containing nutrient growth medium exposed to the environment for one hour) were used [27,28].

Surface and personnel sampling

Standard contact plates (RODAC: Replicate Organism Detection and Counting) were used. The convex agar meniscus allowed direct application to test surfaces (e.g. walls, floors, equipment) for hygiene control and personnel locations(hands, chest and mask). The medium used contained neutralizing agents, which inactivated any residual disinfectants on the surface to be tested and therefore enabled comparative results before and after cleaning [29-32].

Sampling conditions

Sampling was carried out in the operational state with process equipment running and personnel performing normal operations and in a specified condition. Sampling did not interfere with critical work zone protection or compromise the quality of any products prepared that was administered to patients. The operational condition for unidirectional airflow cabinets/isolators and transfer devices was considered to be where an operator was working in any part of the clean air device. Sampling at the rest of the facility condition was continued at an agreed frequency to monitor baseline contamination levels. The operational conditions and the activities being performed at the time of testing were recorded.

Sampling locations

Samples were taken from air, surface and personnel filling, filtration and sterility laboratory areas. Care was taken that samples were taken from critical and adjacent areas.

Culture media used

Environmental monitoring samples were grown on Tryptone Soy Agar medium, (TSA), (Bacto, France). The media was modified and contained neutralizing agents (sodium thiosulphate and lecithin) to inactivate residual surface disinfectant present on the surface to be tested.

Incubation conditions

Plates were incubated at 30°C - 35°C (inverted) for at least 2 days to detect bacteria and at 20°C - 25°C for at least 5 days to detect mould and fungi.

Interpretation of the test results

After appropriate incubation, microbiological contamination was detected by observing colonies that were enumerated as colony forming units (cfu) on each plate. Separate colony counts were tabulated for mould and bacteria.

Note: For plates used in the slit to agar sampler, cfu reading was corrected to cfu/m3 according to standardized equations.

Bacterial strains and growth conditions

Bacterial strains used in this study were isolated from air, surface, and personnel in a pharmaceutical clean room and were kept at -80°C in glycerol stock form.

Reference strains used PCR amplification of gap gene were Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 used as positive control and Pseudomonas aergenosa ATCC 9027 used as a negative control.

Identification of environmental isolates by commercial Identification system API Staph

Preparation of the Strip was done following the standard procedure (bioMérieux, France). Briefly, strains were sub-cultured on Columbia Blood Agar (or P Agar), (Oxoid, England), 18-24 hours at 37°C, and checked for purity. All isolates were subjected to Gram stain to check for morphology and to confirm that they belong to the Micrococcaceae family. A homogenous suspension of each bacterial isolate was prepared in the supplied API Staph medium with turbidity corresponding to 0.5 McFarland standard. The suspension was used immediately.

The micro-tubes of the API strip were filled with the bacterial suspension; mineral oil was added to the micro-tubes that needed to be incubated under anaerobic conditions. The lid was placed and the incubation box (lid and tray) was incubated at 37°C for 20-24 hours. After the incubation period the color was observed in each micro-tube and compared to the negative control. Appropriate reagents were added as required to certain reaction and as described by the kit manual. Identification was carried using the API Staph identification software (bioMérieux, France).

Chromosomal DNA isolation

One loopful from each glycerol stock of each isolate was streaked on TSA (Tryptic Soy Agar), (Bacto, France), plate to obtain well isolated colonies. Plates were incubated at 35°C - 37°C for 18-24 h. After incubation, one colony was inoculated into 3 ml LB broth and incubated overnight at 37°C. On the next day, the cultures were centrifuged at 4,000 g for 10 minutes at room temperature. Genomic DNA was extracted by using the EaZy Nucleic Acid Isolation Bacterial DNA Kit (Omega Bio-tech) following the instructions manual. The final DNA was eluted with water and the concentration of the DNA was determined at 260 nm using the spectrophotometer (Biotech Engineering, 80 DV UV/VIS, UK).

PCR analysis

PCR amplification reactions were performed using a pair of primers selected on the basis of the gap gene nucleotide sequence of Staphylococcus aureus (933-bp long, from the Genbank database under accession number AJ133520). A 26-nucleotide forward primer: GF-1 (5'-ATGGTTTTGGTAGAATTGGTCGTTTA-3'), corresponding to positions 22 to 47 of the gap gene, and a 25-nucleotide reverse primer, GR-2 (5'- GACATTTCGTTATCATACCAAGCTG-3'), corresponding to positions 956 to 932 were selected. Primers were synthesized by (Alpha DNA, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). PCR amplification was carried out using DNA thermal cycler (Eppendorf, Gradient, Hamburg, Germany) by using PCR kit (PuReTaq Ready-To-Go™ PCR Beads from GE Healthcare, USA) following the manufacturer instructions. Briefly, the reaction contained 100 pmoles of each primer (in 0.1 μl volumes), 0.75 to 1 μg of template DNA (in 1 μl volumes), added to one tube of stable beads and water to 25 μl. The stable beads contain stabilizers, BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin), (dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP), ~ 2.5 units of pure Taq DNA polymerase and reaction buffer. DNA was denatured at 94°C for 10 minutes. This was followed by 40 cycles of DNA denaturation at 94°C for 30 sec, primer annealing at 55°C for 30 sec and extension at 72°C for 1 min. After the final cycle, reactions were terminated by an extra cycle at 72°C for 5 minutes. To visualize the product, 8 μl of each PCR reaction were mixed with 3 μl 6× loading dye (GenBioscience) and loaded on 1% Agarose gel: (Metaphor Agarose) was used for fine separation and resolution of small nucleic acids. A 100 bp DNA ladder (GenBioscience) was used as a marker.

Statement of Ethical Approval

All experiments, involving any samples taken from personnel and done in this study, were done in accordance and approval of the ethical committee at Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

In addition, all personnel who contributed any samples, (swabs or any other form), did this according to their informed consent.

Results and Discussion

Identification of environmental isolates from air, surface, personnel by using API Staph system:

A total of 43 isolates were tested using the API Staph test system (biomerieux, France). 23 isolates were taken from surfaces of filling areas (filling machine panels), sterility area (Laminar Air Flow Buttons).15 isolates were taken from active air filling areas (filtration, filling, capping, sterility and Fedagarie room (autoclave room used for sterilization of gowns and different items used in the production process). Five samples were taken from personnel. The isolates were taken according to a routine environmental monitoring program.

Most of the isolates drawn from surface represent 65% of total isolates; the samples comply with the European commission guide due to GMP.

The result of the API Staph identification showed that among the 23 isolate taken from surfaces almost half of them (12 isolates) were identified as Staphylococcus hominis, three isolates were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis, two isolates of each of Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus aureus, and one isolate of each of Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus.

Among the 15 samples taken from air, more than half (8 isolates) were identified as Staphylococcus hominis, four isolates were identified as Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and one of each of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus lugdunensis and Staphylococcus warneri.

Isolates taken from personnel were identified as two being Staphylococcus hominis, two isolates as Staphylococcus epidermidis and one isolate as Staphylococcus aureus

The result of the API Staph identification is summarized in table 1 which shows the different species of Staphylococcus isolated from each main source (surface, personnel or air) and the % identity of each isolate.

Table 1

Different species of Staphylococcus and their % identity

API Identification	Number of isolates	% identity
Staphylococcus hominis	22	47.3%-80%
Staphylococcus epidermidis	6	89%-97.8%
Staphylococcus haemolyticus	5	41%-89.9%
Staphylococcus aureus	3	69%-99%
Staphylococcus lugdunensis	2	42%-64.7%
Staphylococcus warneri	2	38%-74.7%
Staphylococcus xylosus	2	90%-99.8%
Staphylococcus sciuri	1	27.3%
Total	43

The result shows that almost half of the total isolates (22 isolates) regardless of origin were identified as Staphylococcus hominis, a coagulase-negative member of the bacterial genus Staphylococcus.

Staphylococcus hominis occurs very commonly as a harmless commensal on human and animal skin, which explains its abundance among the isolates from different sources. However, like many other coagulase-negative staphylococci, S. hominis may occasionally cause infection in patients whose immune system is compromised, for example by chemotherapy or predisposing illness.

A total of six isolates were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis which is also coagulase-negative and occurs frequently on the skin of humans and animals and in mucous membranes. Due to contamination, S. epidermidis is probably the most common species found in laboratory tests which explains its abundance among the isolates. S. epidermidis is usually non-pathogenic, it is an important cause of infection in patients whose immune system is compromised, or who have indwelling catheters. Many strains produce a biofilm that allows them to adhere to the surfaces of medical prostheses.

A total of five isolates were identified as Staphylococcus haemolyticus a coagulase-negative, and catalase positive staphylococci, frequently found as a commensal organism on the skin of humans and animals, S. haemolyticus occurs infrequently as a cause of soft-tissue infections, usually in immunocompromised patients.

S. haemolyticus is resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents. Resistance to vancomycin has been recorded, and this is a cause for concern because such resistance could be acquired by other, more pathogenic staphylococci [33].

Three isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, the most common cause of Staph infections. It is frequently living on the skin or in the nose of a person. Approximately 20-30% of the general populations are "Staph carriers".

Staphylococcus aureus can cause a range of illnesses from minor skin infections, such as pimples, impetigo, boils, cellulites, furuncles, carbuncles, scalded skin syndrome and abscesses, to life-threatening diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and septicemia [34].

Other Staphylococcus species identified in this study as S. xylosus, S. warneri, S. lugdunensis and S. sciuri are all common commensals on human skin and mucous membranes. Consequently, the identity of the Staphylococcus isolates showed a typical distribution in an environmental sample with the majority of the isolates being those commonly found as commensals on skin surfaces.

35 out of the 43 isolates (81%) identified using API Staph identification system showed identity range between (57.1%-99.8%). Although the majority of the isolates were in a "good identification" range (70%), several isolates showed a relatively weak or poor identification. We decided to investigate the clones on a molecular level by attempting to amplify the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gap gene. The gap gene has proved to be a very well conserved gene that can be used as a useful tool in PCR assays for identification of Staphylococcus species [15]. The gap gene product glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase has been discovered to be located within the cell walls of S. aureus and other coagulase-negative staphylococci. The pair of primers used in this study successfully primed the synthesis of a 933 bp fragment corresponding to the gap gene. All the isolates gave the corresponding PCR band equivalent to the gap gene product as seen after agarose gel electrophoresis (Figures 1 and 2) confirming the identity of the isolates as belonging to the genus Staphylococcus. All the Staphylococcus species identified in our study (table 1) were similarly identified with PCR amplification of the gap gene in previous studies [15,19,35] confirming the reproducibility, reliability and efficiency of the method.

Figure 1

PCR products of isolates numbered 1 to 22. Agarose gel electrophoresis of 933-bp PCR amplification products from chromosomal DNA from staphylococcal species using primers GF-1 and GR-2, M: Ladder marker, black arrow refers to the correct size product of the gap gene corresponding to 933 base pairs. +ve: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538,-ve: Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. Samples 1-22 except 3&4: Staphylococcus hominis, 3: Staphylococcus aureus and 4: Staphylococcus sciuri.

Figure 2

PCR products of isolates numbered 23 to 45. Agarose gel electrophoresis of 933-bp PCR amplification products from chromosomal DNA from staphylococcal species using primers GF-1 and GR-2, M, +ve, -ve and black arrow are the same as in figure 1. Samples 23, 45: Staphylococcus hominis, 24-29: Staphylococcus epidermidis, 30, 31: Staphylococcus aureus, 32, 33: Staphylococcus lugdunensis, 34, 35: Staphylococcus warneri, 36, 37: Staphylococcus xlyosus and 38-42: Staphylococcus haemolyticus.

In conclusion, we used the API Staph identification system followed by PCR amplification of the gap gene to identify various Staphylococcus species isolated from a clean room environment. The methods showed a reliable and rapid identification and can be used for the analysis of large number of samples in a high-throughput manner.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the personnel that donated samples for publication of this manuscript and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in Chief of this journal.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

NSS carried out the experimental procedure. ASY supervised and participated in the experimental procedure and drafted the manuscript. MAA designed the study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.