Detection of Biofilm Production and its Quantification in Candida Isolates in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Candida biofilms adversely impact the health of the patients with increasing frequency and severity of disease and with soaring economic sequel. Objective: Qualitative detection of biofilm production and its quantification was performed in Candida isolates from patients infected with health care associated infection (HCAI). Method: A total of 55 Candida isolates were included in the study. Biofilm production was estimated by Tube method (TM) and Tissue culture plate method (TCP). Further quantification of the biofilm produced was performed by XTT (2, 3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide) reduction Assay and Dry weight measurement method. Result: All Candida isolates were found to be biofilm producers by all three (TM, TCP and XTT) methods. Quantity of biofilm produced by C. albicans ranged between 2.3 to 9.1 mg/disk. Among non-albicans Candida Candida tropicalis) it was between 2.2 to 7.3 mg/disk whereas non-albicans Candida (except C. tropicalis) weight of the biofilm was 2.0 to 7.1 mg/disk. Conclusion: Dry weight (DW) is the actual quantity of biofilm produced. Candida albicans produced higher quantity of biofilm than non-albicans Candida in the study. It is also concluded that quantitative detection of biofilm is definitely help clinician in deciding modality of treatment.