Detection of Antibiotic Resistance and Biofilm-Producing Ability of Staphylococcus Species in Clinical Isolates

Abstract Background  Staphylococci are responsible for life-threatening infections in hospitals and community. Their ability to produce multiple virulence factors and antibiotic resistance is an important reason of high mortality in staphylococcal infections. Biofilm production by these organisms makes it difficult to treat. Most of the treating antibiotics are failing and making it a matter of concern. Aims  This study aims to detect the increased antibiotic resistance in biofilm-producing Staphylococcus and to compare the performance of three potential methods of detection. Methods  A total of 81 isolates of staphylococci including coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNs), methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) are included in this study. After the identification, an antibiotic sensitivity test was performed. Biofilm detection was done by three different methods: Congo red agar method, tube adherence method, and microtiter plate method. Result  Out of the 81 samples, 37 CoNs, 17 MRSA, and 27 MSSA were identified. Out of them we got 43 (53%) biofilm producers by Congo red agar method, 40 (49%) by tube adherence method, and 52 (64%) producers by tissue culture plate/microtiter plate method. Most of the biofilm producers showed multiple drug resistance. Conclusion  We found out that the microtiter plate method is sensitive and reliable as compared with the other two methods. Antibiotic resistance was found to be very common in biofilm producers. This was due to the resistance developed as a result of the matrix that does not let the antibiotic bind with the organisms. This can make the treatment of Staphylococcus very difficult in the future as the rate of drug resistance is faster as compared with newly emerging antibiotics.