Biofilm-producing and specific antibiotic resistance genes in isolated from patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital, Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVES

Biofilms are responsible for persistent infections and antimicrobial resistance was investigated with its ability to form biofilm by detecting genes responsible for producing biofilms and biofilm-specific antimicrobial resistance. The association between antibiotic resistance and biofilm was investigated.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2017 to December 2018. A total of 446 samples (infected burn, surgical wounds, and endotracheal aspirate) were collected from admitted patients of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Bangladesh. was isolated and identified by biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction. Biofilm production by tissue culture plate method followed by detection of biofilm-producing genes () and biofilm-specific antibiotic resistance genes (, PA1874, PA1876, PA1877) by polymerase chain reaction were done. Antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out by disk diffusion method; for colistin agar dilution method of minimal inhibitory concentration was followed.

RESULTS

Among 232 (52.02%) positive strains of , 24 (10.30%) produced biofilms in tissue culture plate. Among biofilm-producing genes, was the highest (79.17%). and were 70.83% 45.83%, and 37.5%. Among biofilm-specific antibiotic resistance genes, 16.67% were , and 8.33% were PA1874 and PA1877. Biofilm-forming strains were significantly resistant to colistin.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of biofilm-forming genes may be a good tool for the evaluation of biofilm production, which will help in prompt and better management of chronic or device-associated infections.