Abstract:

Background: Biofilm-associated microorganisms can cause diseases by attachment to individual cells or groups of cells on the medical device surface. The organisms may grow resistant to antibiotics. These microorganisms can be prokaryote or eukaryote organisms existing in one of two forms: sessile or planktonic. The treatment of device-associated infections with a systemic antimicrobial agent is usually ineffective. Purpose: To find the pattern of biofilm-forming organisms and the antimicrobial susceptibility from medical devices attached to patients, so that the therapeutic management can be more accurate and useful. Method: From 86 specimens that were analyzed, only 36 specimens showed organism growth and ability to form a biofilm. From 36 isolates analyzed for the ability to form a biofilm, only 31 isolates were in planktonic and sessile form, which were then identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility because the density produced was greater or equal to 0,4 (cutoff  ≥ 0,4).  Result: Planktonic Escherichia coli from urinary and intravenous catheters matched 100% with the sessile form on the devices, as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram-positive cocci found was Staphylococcus aureus. Planktonic Staphylococcus aureus from urinary and intravenous catheters matched 100% with the sessile form on the devices. Conclusion: When in planktonic form, an organism may be sterile, but the sessile form is not always sterile. The antimicrobial chosen to treat the patient should match the antimicrobial susceptibility test based on the planktonic and sessile forms of biofilm.

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