DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i02.018

Pages: 568-571

High glucose in the urine and defective host immune response factors is responsible for predispose to urinary tract infections (UTIs) among diabetes mellitus patients. Asymptomatic bacteriuria refers to the presence of high quantity of uropathogens in the urine of asymptomatic person. Uropathogens have an ability to form a “Biofilm” appearance in the urinary tract. This reservoir of bacteria may be responsible for recurrent UTIs and also hinder the penetration of antimicrobials, resulting in the development of resistant strains. In this study we screened 250 diabetic individuals for asymptomatic bacteriuria and tested the isolated strains for biofilm production and its association to glycemic status as well as drug resistance. A total of 250 urine samples from diabetic patients were collected and processed using standard microbiological techniques. To the strains isolated, biofilm production was detected qualitatively and quantitatively by tube method and optimized microtitre plate assay respectively. Among 250 cases included 176 (70.4%) were uncontrolled and74 (29.6%) were controlled diabetics based on their blood sugar levels and HbA1C levels. Asymptomatic bacteriuria was present in 56 individuals of which 47 (26.7%) isolates were from uncontrolled and 9 (12%) from controlled group. Of the 56 isolates 37 (66%) showed biofilm production by either method. Escherichia coli (44.6%) were the predominant uropathogen and also a major biofilm producer (52.7%). Among the biofilm producing strains, 94.5% (35) were isolated from those with poor glycemic control. Form our study we conclude that blood sugar level plays a role in colonization and causes the biofilm production by the uropathogens in the urinary tract.