DEMONSTRATION OF BIOFILM FORMATION BY GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA AND STUDY THEIR AST PATTERN AT MGMMC, JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND.

Introduction: Gram- negative bacteria are attributable to matrix- enclosed aggregates known as biofilms. The development of biofilms is currently recognised as one of the most relevant drivers of persistent infections and constitutes as a major challenge for clinical microbiologist and clinicians. Bacteria living in a biofilm can exhibit a 10 to 1,000-fold increase in antibiotic resistance compared to similar bacteria living in a planktonic state. Aims & Objective: The purpose of this study is to detect the biofilm formation by gram-negative bacilli and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2024 to November 2024 on Methods: 246 bacterial isolates from various clinical samples to demonstrate biofilm formation by Tube Method and an antibiogram was drawn. Escherichia coli (34.15%) was the predominant gram-negative bacteria encountered, followe Result: d by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28.05%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.36%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (10.16%). AST revealed higher resistance to Ampicillin, Trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole, Amoxicillin clavulanic acid, Gentamicin and Cefepime. Biofilms are rapidly becoming a major contributor to Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI)Th Conclusion: e knowledge of biofilm formation and antibiogram of bacterial isolates contributing to its formation is of utmost importance for rendering reliable empirical antibiotic therapy to the patients.