Molecular Methods for Detecting Biofilm Producing Multidrug Resistant Clinical Isolates

Abstract

Background: Biofilm formation is known to be a major virulence factor in chronic infections caused by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It has also been discovered that biofilm-forming organisms are usually associated with multidrug resistance. Aims and objectives: Detection of biofilm formation among multidrug-resistant organisms by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Materials and methods: A total of forty isolates obtained from various clinical samples were subjected for antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test and E strip method, these isolates were screened for biofilm formation by phenotypic tissue culture plate method. The isolates forming strong biofilm were evaluated by conventional PCR for multidrug-resistant genes and biofilmproducing genes. Results: Among the 40 isolates obtained, 16 showed the formation of biofilm by phenotypic method, out of these 7 which are strong biofilm producers and 4 showed the presence of biofilm-producing genes and 6 multidrug-resistant genes. Conclusion: A significant association is seen among the clinical isolates with multidrug resistance and biofilm formation which makes it necessary to screen all the clinical isolates for the same for better treatment options.