A STUDY ON CORRELATION BETWEEN BIOFILM PRODUCTION AND VANCOMYCIN RESISTANCE IN ENTEROCOCCAL ISOLATES OBTAINED FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

V G Praveena; Radhika Katragadda; Sowmya A V

Volume : IX, Issue : I, January - 2020

A STUDY ON CORRELATION BETWEEN BIOFILM PRODUCTION AND VANCOMYCIN RESISTANCE IN ENTEROCOCCAL ISOLATES OBTAINED FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

V G Praveena, Radhika Katragadda, Sowmya A V

Abstract :

Enterococci , a normal intestinal flora in animals and humans have been identified as a significant pathogen causing infection to humans. The following study was conducted to isolate the enterococci in various clinical samples, to demonstrate their antibiotic resistance pattern with special reference to vancomycin and to delineate a correlation between biofilm production and expression of the vancomycin resistant genes. 200 enterococcal species isolated from various clinical samples during the study period, were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and also assayed for their ability to form biofilms. Multiplex PCR was carried out to detect the presence of van A, van B and van C resistant genes, in the clinical isolates. Out of the 200 enterococcal isolates, 66% were E.feacalis and 34% were E.feacium. 65% of the total enterococcal isolates were from urine samples, followed by wound swab& pus (25%). Vancomycin resistance was found in 4% of the enterococcal isolates. Only 12% of the total Enterococcal isolates were biofilm producers. All the vancomycin resistant isolates were strong biofilm producers (100%) and expressed only van A resistant genes. Our study shows that enterococcus is one of the commonest uropathogen with presence of significant VRE strains, expressing Van A resistant genes and with strong biofilm forming ability. Proper identification of VRE strains along with strict infection control practices will help to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with infections caused by them.