Publication:

Study of biofilm production and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of uropathogens in a tertiary care hospital in North India

Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infectious diseases encountered in clinical practice. Emerging resistance of the uropathogens to the antimicrobial agents due to biofilm formation is a matter of concern while treating symptomatic UTI. But studies addressing the issue of biofilm production by uropathogens in Indian scenario are scarce. Aim of the study was to study biofilm formation and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of uropathogens.

Methods Prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Total 300 isolates from urinary samples were analysed for biofilm formation by tissue culture plate method. We compared the antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of the biofilm producing and non-producing uropathogens. For statistical analysis Chi-square test was applied when two or more set of variables were compared. A ‘p’ value of <0.05 as considered to be statistically significant.

Results Biofilm formation was detected in 137 (45.6%) isolates. All the biofilm producing organisms were found to be multi drug resistant (MDR). Biofilm producing gram negative organisms were sensitive to imipenem, piperacillin- tazobactam and netilimicin. While, vancomycin, linezolide, rifampicin and nitrofurantoin are agents effective against biofilm producing gram positive organisms.

Conclusions Biofilm production by uropathogens is a common phenomenon now a days and it is one of the important mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance among the uropathogens.