Biofilm production of clinical isolates ofStenotrophomonas maltophilia altered by sodium phosphate buffer supplementation of the medium

Biofilm plays an important role in the pathogenicity of the bacteriumStenotrophomonas maltophilia. When sodium phosphate buffer (SPB) supplemented the Luria-Bertani media of 11 clinical isolates of this bacterium, mean growth at 30 h was little changed compared to non-supplemented controls in 45% of the isolates, decreasing by 4%. Increase in mean biofilm formation in that low growth change sub-sample was statistically significant ( t = 5.0 , dt 4,p < 0.008). For a further 36% of isolates, growth at 30 h with SPB supplementation was decreased by 8.5% of controls. Decrease in biofilm formation was seen in that sub-sample compared to controls ( t = 4.0 , df 3,p < 0.03). The significant phenotypical variety of the clinical presentation of this pathogen may allow population adaptability to varying metabolic provision, improving its pathogenicity.