Comparison of Bacterial Colonization and the Biofilm Formation between Indwelling Pure Silicone and Silicone Coated Latex Catheters: A Prospective and Observational Study

Introduction: 30%-40% of all the hospital acquired infections are due to Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs), is directly associated with increase in morbidity, mortality, hospital costs and length of the hospital stay. In acute care setting, the prevalence of CAUTIs in the catheterized patient increases with increase in days of catheterization. Bacterial species isolated in CAUTIs show biofilm production, which provides survival benefit to them by providing protection from environmental stresses and causing decreased susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. This study was designed and conducted to compare bacterial colonization, isolation of bacteria and biofilm production property in patients who were catheterized with two most common indwelling catheter; pure silicone and silicone coated latex catheters. Materials and Method: This prospective, observational and comparative study was conducted on 200 patients of all age and gender who had been catheterized for more than 7 days and had sterile precatheterisation urine. Divided into Group A (pure silicone catheter) and B (silicone coated latex catheter) with 100 patients each. Urine culture was done on the 8th day of indwelling urinary catheter drainage. If growth was detected, then that bacterium was tested for biofilm production property by tissue culture plate method. Results were analysed with the help of Instat Graph Pad software. Results: Bacterial colonization and uropathogens showing Biofilm forming bacteria was more seen in group B patients with respect to group A patients and the difference was significant. In both the groups the most common bacteria were Escherichia coli. Conclusion: Pure silicone catheter was advantageous over the most commonly used silicone coated latex catheter in terms of bacterial colonization and biofilm formation, although pure silicone catheter didn’t completely resist the bacterial colonization and the biofilm formation.