Biofilm Measurement, Site Specific Variation in Biofilm Production, Biofilm Typing: An Acinetobacter Trilogy

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii is a member of the ESKAPE pathogens, notorious for causing multidrug resistant nosocomial infections worldwide. Biofilm has an important role in its persistence and spread in hospital environment, as well as its multidrug resistance potential. The present study was aimed at finding out whether the strength of Biofilm formation varies with infection of different organs / system.  A total of 136 isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii were taken from a variety of samples. Strength of Biofilm formation, determined by Tissue culture plate method, was graded according to OD value in ELISA reader as nil, moderate and strong.  It was seen that association between variations in biofilm forming capacity depending on different sites of infection was statistically significant.  We suggest biofilm typing by this method for this pathogen, as a potentially feasible alternative in countries with cost restrained healthcare set ups. Moreover, biofilm typing report would be more meaningful to the clinicians as well.