Abstract

METHODS OF BIOFILM DETECTION IN CANDIDA ISOLATES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

*Gyaneshwar Tiwari, Bibhabati Mishra, Vinita Dogra, Poonam Sood Loomba and D. R. Arora

ABSTRACT

Background: Candida spp is the most common pathogen isolated from health care associated infections. They contaminate medical devices and forms biofilm. Biofilm is a major virulence factor produced by microorganisms as it causes increase in resistance against antifungal drugs. Objective: This study was undertaken to detect biofilm formation by Tube method (TM) and Tissue culture plate method (TCP) method in Candida isolates. Material and Methods: A total of 55 Candida isolates from various clinical samples were included in this study. These isolates were identified by conventional methods, CHROM agar and VITEK II. They were further processed for biofilm detection by TM and TCP methods. Result: Of these 55 isolate 41 were identified as non-albicans Candida and 14 as Candida albicans. C. tropicalis (29) was the commonest isolate among non-albicans. All 55 Candida isolates showed biofilm production by both methods. TM detected 43 (78.18%) strong, 8 (14.55%) moderate and 4 (7.27%) weak biofilm producers, while TCP method detected 46 (83.64%) strong, 7 (12.73%) moderate and 2 (3.64%) weak biofilm producers. Findings of both methods correlate very well with each other. Conclusion: In the present study it is observed that TCP method is the best method for biofilm detection in Candida species in comparison to TM. Detection of biofilm production for Candida isolate.

Keywords: Candida albicans, non-albicans Candida, biofilm, Tube method, Tissue culture plate method.