ABSTRACT

The study evaluated the antibiogram and potentials for biofilm formation from clinical isolates of Escherichia coli in Umuahia, Abia State. Fifty (50) clinical isolates of E. coli were analyzed in the study; urine (20), wound (20) and High vagina swab (10). The samples were processed in the Microbiology laboratory of Michael Okpara University by standard techniques. Out of the 50 samples analysed, 35 (70%) were positive for biofilm forming potentials. Of the twenty (20) isolates obtained from wound swabs, 19(95%) were positive for biofilm forming potential while 12(60%) and 4(40%) of those obtained from urine and HVS cultures were positive for biofilm forming potentials respectively. Findings in this study revealed a pattern of high sensitivity of the test isolates to Ciprofloxacin, Streptomycin and Gentamicin. E coli from HVS samples recorded the highest sensitivity rates to most of the antibiotics used especially, Gentamicin and Streptomycin 10(100%) each. The resistant pattern from this study also showed high resistant rate of E. coli isolated from all sample against the antibiotic drug Ampicillin and Septrin. The study concludes that the high level resistance to commonly available drugs may be due to inappropriate use and misuse, inadequate dosages and poor treatment by quacks.  It is therefore suggested that policies for the control of antibiotic misuse and abuse be enacted and properly executed to tackle the problem of emerging resistance. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover page i

Title page ii

Dedication iii

Certification iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of contents vi

List of Tables viii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Aim and Objectives 2

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review 3

2.1 Escherichia coli 3

2.2 Antimicrobial Resistance 3

2.2.1 Types of Resistance 4

2.2.2 Mechanisms of Resistance: 4

2.2.3 Sources of Resistance Genes. 8

2.3 Biofilm Formation 9

2.3.1 Biofilm Matrix 10

2.3.2 Intercellular Communication 10

2.4 Diagnostic Significance of Biofilm Formation 11

2.5 Antibiotic resistance associated with Biofilms 12

2.6 Biofilm and Nosocomial Infections 13

2.7 How Antibiotics Stimulate Biofilm Formation? 14

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and methods 15

3.1 Study Location 15

3.2 Sample collection 15

3.3 Confirmation of test isolates 15

3.3.1 Colonial Morphology 15

3.3.2 Gram Staining 16

3.3.3 Motility test 16

3.3.4 Biochemical Tests 16

3.4 Detection of biofilm forming potential 18

3.5 Antibiotic sensitivity testing 18

3.6 Data analysis 19

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results 20

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion, Recommendation and Conclusion 25

5.1 Discussion 25

5.2 Conclusion and Recommendation 26

References