Abstract

STAPHYLOCOCCAL BLOODSTREAM INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN – ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AND BIOFILM FORMATION

Menal Gupta* and Uma Chaudhary

Abstract

Staphylococcus spp. is recognized as an important cause of nosocomial and community-acquired bloodstream infections in children. They are often resistant to antibiotics and the ability to form biofilm is one of the important virulence factors. Biofilms are associated with chronic and medical device-related infections. Biofilm mode of growth provides defence against immune clearance and increased tolerance to antibiotics. A total of 173 Staphylococcus isolates were collected over a period of 8 months from blood culture of pediatric patients and biofilm formation was detected by tissue culture plate method. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined as per CLSI guidelines and correlation with biofilm-producing ability was seen. 42.2% Staphylococcus aureus and 35.5% coagulase negative staphylococci were biofilm producers. Biofilm forming isolates showed greater resistance to most antibiotics than the non-biofilm forming isolates. Biofilm formation in vivo may be responsible for device-related and persistent infections. The in vitro detection of biofilm formation can be a vital tool to guide antimicrobial therapy in such patients.

Keywords: bloodstream, paediatrics, Staphylococcus, biofilm, resistance.