CRISPR-like sequences association with antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation in Helicobacter pylori clinical isolates

Role of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-like sequences in antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation isn't clear. This study investigated association of CRISPR-like sequences with antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation in H. pylori isolates. Thirty-six of H. pylori isolates were studied for existence of CRISPR-like sequences using PCR method and their correlation with biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. Microtiter-plate technique was utilized for investigating antibiotic resistance profile of isolates against amoxicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole and clarithromycin. Biofilm formation of isolates was analyzed by microtiter-plate-based-method. Out of 23 CRISPR-like positive isolates, 19 had ability of biofilm formation and 7 of 13 CRISPR-like negative isolates were able to form biofilm (Pvalue = 0.445). In CRISPR-like positive isolates, 11 (48%), 18 (78%), 18 (78%) and 23 (100%) were resistant to amoxicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole and clarithromycin, respectively. Since CRISPR-like sequences have role in antibiotic resistance, may be applied as genetic markers of antibiotic resistance. But there was no substantial correlation between biofilm formation and existence of CRISPR-like sequences. These results indicate possible importance of CRISPR-like sequences on acquisition of resistance to antibiotics in this bacterium.