The Prevalence and Comparative Analysis of Adhesion and Biofilm-Related Genes in Staphylococcus aureus Isolates: A Network Meta-Analysis

Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile pathogen capable of causing a wide range of infections, from minor skin infections to life-threatening invasive diseases. The pathogenicity of S. aureus is attributed to its ability to produce various virulence factors, including adhesion and biofilm-related proteins. Understanding the prevalence and distribution of these genes among S. aureus isolates from different sources is crucial for devising effective strategies to combat biofilm-associated contamination. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive network meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of adhesion and biofilm-related genes in S. aureus isolates and investigate the impact of the isolate source on their occurrence. A systematic search of multiple databases was performed, and a total of 53 relevant studies were included. The prevalence of adhesion and biofilm-related genes in S. aureus isolates was determined, with the highest prevalence observed for clfB (p-estimate = 85.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 78–90.6), followed by eno (p-estimate = 81.1, 95% CI 61.7–91.9), and icaD (p-estimate = 77, 95% CI 68.6–83.6). Conversely, bap and bbp genes exhibited the lowest prevalence rates (p-estimate = 6.7 and 18.7, respectively). The network meta-analysis allowed us to examine the pairwise co-study of adhesion and biofilm-related genes in S. aureus isolates. The most frequently co-studied gene pairs were icaA-icaD (30 times) and fnbA-fnbB (25 times). Subgroup analysis showed that the occurrence of icaC and icaB genes was significantly lower in animal isolates compared to human and food isolates (p < 0.05). It is worth noting that there was limited data available for the analysis of sasG, bbp, bap, eno, and fib genes. In conclusion, the study revealed varying prevalence rates of adhesion and biofilm-related genes in S. aureus isolates. Genes such as clfB, eno, and icaD were found to be highly prevalent, while bap and bbp were less common. Limited existing data on the prevalence of genes like sasG, bbp, bap, eno, and fib highlights the need for further research to determine their exact prevalence rates. Our results contribute to a better understanding of S. aureus pathogenesis and can facilitate the development of effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of S. aureus infections.