Biofilm forming abilities of microorganisms associated with diabetic wound infection: A study from a tertiary care hospital

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disease is increasing worldwide. Diabetic foot infections are one of the most feared and bothersome complications of diabetes caused by different genera of bacteria. There is an increasing evidence which demonstrates the presence of biofilm formers in chronic diabetic foot ulcers which contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains and treatment failure. The present study aimed at isolating bacteria from diabetic wounds, to check for its antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm forming ability. From the diabetic wounds, isolates belonging to the genera of Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Esherichia, Vibrio, Acinetobacter and Citrobacter were recovered. To the best of our knowledge, Vibrio parahaemolyticus was isolated for the first time from diabetic ulcer. Antibiotic sensitivity profile of the organism infers the presence of multidrug-resistant strains. Majority of the bacteria isolated were found to be biofilm formers. High biofilm formers were observed in strains of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and Klebsiella spp. There was a significant association between incubation time and intensity of biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa [c² (p< 0.05) = 0.001)], Staphylococcus spp. [c² (p< 0.05) = 0.023)] and Acinetobacter spp. [c² (p< 0.05) = 0.018)]. The presence of biofilm forming multidrug-resistant bacteria infers the chronic nature of diabetic wounds.