Occurrence and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles of Biofilm-forming Bacteria Associated with Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Among Students

Background and Objectives: Asymptomatic bacteriuria may be associated with bacteria capable of forming biofilms which when formed may increase the rate of morbidity and mortality, cost of treatment, and length of hospital stay of the patient. This study, therefore, aimed at determining the biofilm-forming capacity of bacteria associated with ABU as well as their susceptibilities to some selected antibiotics. Materials and Methods: Urine samples of 200 healthy students were cultured on Cysteine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient (C.L.E.D) agar and incubated appropriately. The associated organisms were isolated and characterized using chromogenic agar. The ability of the isolated bacteria to form biofilm was evaluated using the Congo Red Agar (CRA) technique while their susceptibility profiles to antibiotics were determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: These revealed that urine samples of forty students had significant bacterial growth characteristics of ABU. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant Gram-positive bacterium which accounted for 47.5% of the isolated bacteria. Biofilm-forming capacity revealed that 40% of the isolates tended to form biofilm. However, ofloxacin and streptomycin were antibiotics of choice for Gram-negative and Gram-positive isolates, respectively. Conclusion: The study concluded that biofilm-forming bacteria with varying susceptibilities to antibiotics are present in urine samples of students with ABU despite their showing no ill health.