Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a Powerful Biofilm Producer and Positive Action of Amikacin Against Isolates From Chronic Wounds

Abstract

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative and rod-shaped opportunistic pathogen highly involved in biofilm production in chronic wounds. Biofilms in wounds are the main cause of resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to identify biofilm-producing bacteria most frequently found in chronic wounds and to examine the association of antibiotic resistance among the isolates. Objectives: This study was to evaluate the isolation of P. aeruginosa from different types of chronic wounds, as one of the causes of delay in wound healing and biofilm formation, as well as to determine the association of antibiotic resistance among the isolates. Methods: Ninety-one isolates of chronic wounds were obtained from DHQ Hospital KDA District Kohat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Pakistan, from September 2014 to June 2015. Isolates of P. aeruginosa from different types of chronic wounds were biochemically identified and confirmed by molecular identification of one of the conserved genes, algD GDP-mannose dehydrogenase, in P. aeruginosa. Biofilm-forming ability and effects of antibacterial agents were also determined. Results: The prevalence of diabetic ulcer was found to be more (62.5%) compared to other types of chronic wounds in patients, and 48.3% of the isolates were identified as P. aeruginosa. The prevalence of P. aeruginosa in males was found to be higher (56.8%) than in females, with a statistically non-significant association. Furthermore, biofilm formation was observed in the isolates, so that 79.5% of P. aeruginosa isolates were found to be biofilm producers. Antibacterial drugs were applied to the culture of isolates, showing that P. aeruginosa was more resistant to ceftriaxone while amikacin acted as a bactericidal. Conclusions: From our research, we conclude that delay of wound healing was because of biofilm-producing bacteria found in chronic wounds, which were more resistant to antibiotics because of the ability of biofilm forming. Further, amikacin showed a good activity against P. aeruginosa.