Objective   To study the macrolide-resistance

ability of biofilm formation and icaA-genetypes of 68 stains of clinically isolated Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) so as to explore the efficacy of macrolide to prevent biofilm-associated infections caused by S. epidermidis.    Methods   Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were detected by agar-plate dilution method

and microtiter-plate assay was used to investigate the ability of biofilm formation

and icaA genetype was identified by PCR.    Results   High macrolide-resistant rate (88.2%) was showed for clinical isolated S. epidermidis

and biofilms for macrolide-resistant strains were significantly stronger than that of macrolide-sensitive strains

but there was no dependability found between these two for icaA positive rate.    Conclusion   Frequently-used macrolide such as erythromycin

azithromycin

and clarithromycin may incompetence to prevent biofilm-associated infections caused by S. epidermidis.