Date of Publication :17th January 2019

Abstract: Introduction: Biofilm forming microorganisms are related to chronic and recurrent human infections as well as are highly resistant to antimicrobial agents. Various methods have been used in laboratory for the detection of biofilm production which includes visual assessment by electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction, whereas quantitative method like Tissue Culture Plate (TCP) method and two qualitative methods such as Tube Method (TM) and Congo Red Agar (CRA) method are also used in routine laboratories. Objectives: To detect the prevalence of biofilm formation in Escherichia coli (E.coli), to evaluate different qualitative methods for the detection of biofilms and to see its relation with antimicrobial resistance. Materials and Method: The study was conducted at Department of Microbiology and MLT, Arts, Science and Commerce College, Kholwad, Surat during the period January 2017 to December 2017. Standard microbiological procedure was done to identify the isolates. E.coliclinical isolates were subjected to qualitative biofilm detection methods. Biofilm detection was tested by TM and CRA. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique was performed to do antibiotic susceptibility test of biofilm producing bacteria according to CLSI guidelines. Results and Conclusion: Biofilm productions among E.coli were more than 73%. We have also observed higher antibiotic resistance in biofilm producing E.coli than non-biofilm producers. We can conclude from our study that the CRA method can be recommended as a general screening method in laboratories for detecting biofilm forming bacteria. Biofilm production is associated with persistent infections and antibiotic therapy failure thereby posing a major challenge for the physicians along with economic relevance as well. Hence, such problems can be prevented by detection of biofilm producers and appropriate antibiotic doses modification

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