Assessment of Biofilm Formation as a Virulence Marker in Device Associated Nosocomial Infections due to A.baumannii in Intensive Care Units in Kanpur

Nidhi Pal; Ramamurthy Sujatha; Anil Kumar

Volume : VI, Issue : X, October - 2017

Assessment of Biofilm Formation as a Virulence Marker in Device Associated Nosocomial Infections due to A.baumannii in Intensive Care Units in Kanpur

Nidhi Pal, Ramamurthy Sujatha, Anil Kumar

Abstract :

Background: A.baumannii have emerged as problematic hospital pathogens, which can survive in healthcare settings and medical devices, due to biofilm formation ability of A.baumannii and its antibiotic resistance, making treatment difficult. The present study was undertaken to assess device associated infections due to A. baumannii, biofilm production and its association with drug resistance from different clinical isolates in the duration of October 2015 to Feuary 2017. Methods: A total of 34 A.baumannii were isolated from different clinical samples that related to indwelling devices. All isolated A.baumannii were checked for biofilm assay by qualitative and quantitative method using tube method and microtiter plate method respectively. Results: A total of 34 isolates of A.baumannii were identified among these 21(61.97%) were biofilm producers. Biofilm producing strains were mostly isolated from endotracheal tubes followed by aspirates, suction tip, central line, blood, urine, foley�s tip, and pus. Of 34 A.baumannii, 20 isolates were contributed to cause infection. Out of these 12 (57.14%) were able to produce biofilm. All the biofilm producing A.baumannii were 100% resistance to piperacillin, ampicillin– sulbactum, piperacillin–tazobactum, cefataxime, and ciprofloxacin. 80.95% and 85.71% of biofilm producing A.baumannii were imipenem and amikacin resistant respectively. Conclusion: This study conclude that most of A.baumannii

isolates can form biofilm and may contribute to its persistence in the hospital environment, increasing the probability of causing nosocomial infection. Therefore, new strategies are needed to minimize the susceptibility of the device surface to colonization by this opportunistic pathogen.