Investigation of virulence factors and genes associated with biofilm and protease in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates in Bushehr, Iran

Our findings revealed a high frequency of isolates that produce DNase, hemolysin, protease, gelatinase, lipase, lecithinase, hyaluronidase, and biofilm. All isolates that harbored <i>spgM</i> or <i>rpfF</i> or both genes were strong biofilm producers. Notably, the presence of isolates that lacked <i>spgM</i> and <i>rpfF</i> genes but produced strong biofilm indicates that in addition to these two genes, other genes or factors may play a role in the production of strong biofilm. Based on this research, <i>S. maltophilia</i> in our area possesses the capability to produce several factors that could play roles in pathogenicity.