Evaluating the Activity of Ultrasound on Biofilm Formation by Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from clinical Specimens

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii received attention for its multi-drug resistant associated with many severe infections and outbreaks in clinical environment. The aims of the study are to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility profile of clinically isolated A. baumannii, biofilm production, and the efficiency of Low Frequency Ultrasound (LFU) and honey to attenuate biofilm production. A total of 100 samples were taken from different sources from Baghdad hospitals. The susceptibility patterns revealed the percentage of pan drug resistant (PDR) isolates were 1.5 %, 72.7 % were extended drug resistant (XDR), 16.7 % were multidrug resistant (MDR), and 9.1 % were non MDR and sensitive to most antibiotics used. The ability to form biofilm was detected by crystal violet staining, and the results showed that 20% were strong biofilm, and 31.8% were moderate biofilm. The biofilm formation percentage was decreased using Low frequency ultrasound LFU and honey. Moreover, PCR results revealed that not all of them harbouring biofilm-related genes or integrons (bap, csuE, IntI-1, IntI-2), although, they are strong biofilm producers. These results conclude that low frequency ultrasound and chemical components of honey might be a good choice to restrain A. baumannii biofilm formation, and negative correlation between antibiotic resistance and biofilm ability. Running title: Antimicrobial drug resistance, Acinetobacter baumannii, biofilm inhibition