Abstract
Biofilm represents a potential strut in bacterial treatment failure. It has a dual action; it affords microbial resistance against antibiotics and facilitate transmission of pathogenic bacteria. Nosocomial bacteria pose a serious problem in healthcare units; it prolongs patient hospital stay and increases the mortality rates beside other awful economical effect. This study was planned for targeting nosocomial bacterial biofilm using natural and biologically safe compounds like Chitosan and/or Pluronic F127. Ninety-five isolates were recovered from 107 nosocomial clinical samples. Different bacterial and fungal species were detected, from which Klebsiella pneumonia (23%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19%), Acinetobacter baumannii (18%) and E.coli (17%) were the predominate organisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanni and Klebsiella pneumonia were the abundant antibiotic resistant strains with multi-resistance pattern of 72%, 65% and 59%, respectively. A significant percentage of these isolates were strong biofilm forming. Herein, we investigate the effect of Chitosan and Pluronic F127 alone and in combination with each other against biofilm production. Chitosan show variable degree of biofilm inhibition, while Pluronic F127 was able to retard biofilm formation by 80% to 90% in most strain. There is no significant difference (P< 0.05) between Pluronic F127 alone and its effect in combination with Chitosan.
Highlights
Nosocomial infection is a major health care problem
Gram +ve bacteria present in a significant percentage represented by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus haemolyticus with 8% and 4% respectively
Fungal infection with Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis were reported with a lower incidence at 3 and 2% respectively. (Table 1) Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing
Summary
Nosocomial infection is a major health care problem. It causes a large percent of morbidity and mortality, one from ten patients is affected by this type of infection[1]. Nosocomial infection result in prolonged hospital stay with increased healthcare costs[2]. These infections are mainly caused by multi or extensive drug resistant organisms like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL). According to National Health Institute (NIH) 65-80% of chronic microbial infections are related to biofilm forming microorganisms[3]. The biofilm may be performed on or within medical devices such as venous catheter, contact lenses and prosthetic heart valves by one microorganism or mixed infections according to device type and duration. It is so difficult to be eradicated and removed[8]
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