Incidence of Biofilm Producing Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from Clinical Samples and Skin of Healthy Individuals: A Correlative Study

Purpose: Biofilm formation impairs wound healing and also protects the organisms from the action of antibiotics thereby associated with various hospital acquired infections. Currently S.epidermidis has been increasingly recognised as an important nosocomial pathogen due to its capability in forming biofilm. Hence this study is aimed to screen the incidence of biofilm producing clinical and skin isolates of S.epidermidis in order to determine its capacity to cause infections in health care setting. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 S.epidermidis isolates, 50 from clinical samples and 50 from skin of healthy volunteers were collected during Nov 2014Jan 2015. All the isolates were subjected for biofilm production by tube and tissue culture plate method. Result: Out of 50 clinical isolates 50% were from blood sample. 52% of clinical isolates and 26% of skin isolates were found to be a strong biofilm producer by tube method where as tissue culture plate (TCP) method showed 60% of clinical and 34% skin isolates as strong biofilm producer. 20% of strong biofilm producer were from blood sample which may be because of various intravenous catheter related septicaemia infection during hospitalisation. TCP method was considered as more sensitive. Conclusion: Our study reveals that there was no difference between clinical and skin isolates in producing biofilm, as skin isolates were equally more virulent as that of the clinical isolate. Hence proper screening and management may possibly reduce the risk of hospital acquired S.epidermidis infection.