Biofilm formation and Antibiogram of Enterococcus species among Diabetic foot ulcer Patients

Abstract

Bacteria within biofilms are sheltered from various stresses, including immune responses and antimicrobial agents. The biofilm-forming ability of bacteria has been associated with increased antibiotic resistance and chronic recurrent infections. [1] Enterococci are described as vital hospital-associated pathogens and have thus been reported to withhold lots of virulence potentials considered significantly essential in exacerbating ailments caused by them. [2] newlineEnterococci are normal flora of oral cavity, gut, and female genital tract of humans and are known to cause nosocomial infections. [3] E. faecalis is responsible for 80-90 percent and E. faecium 5-10 percent of the human enterococcal infections. Most frequent infections caused by Enterococcus spp. are urinary tract infections followed by intra- abdominal abscesses and bloodstream infections. [4] newlineEnterococcus strains of clinical origin have been described extensively in literature with limited information of the phenotypic virulence factors coupled with its genetic structure. [5] Furthermore, enterococci have demonstrated intrinsic antimicrobial resistance to numerous antibiotic agents and can adapt to obtain resistance to antimicrobials from the environment. [6] newlineA high mortality rate of enterococcal infections is due to increasing resistance of the organism to and#946;-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, and glycopeptides and inadequate response to the treatment. [7] Pandemic spread of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) and acquisition of resistance to newer antimicrobials warrant continued surveillance and early detection of VRE along with Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC). [8] newline