Microbiological Analysis of Biofilm on Catheters Used in Federal Medical Centre Nguru, Yobe State

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections, with biofilm formation on catheter surfaces being the primary pathogenic mechanism. This study analyzed the microbial composition and antibiotic resistance of biofilm communities on used urinary catheters removed from inpatients at Federal Medical Centre Nguru, Yobe State, North East Nigeria. Fifty catheters removed from patients with documented indwelling catheterization periods of 3 to 14 days were processed by sonication to dislodge biofilm communities, followed by culture on selective and non-selective media. Biofilm biomass was quantified by the microplate crystal violet assay. Isolates were identified by standard biochemical testing, and susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion. Results showed that biofilm was present on all catheter segments examined. E. coli was the most common biofilm organism (34%), followed by K. pneumoniae (26%), Enterococcus faecalis (18%), P. aeruginosa (14%), and Candida albicans (8%). MDR profiles were documented in 76 percent of Gram-negative biofilm isolates. Biofilm biomass correlated positively with catheterization duration and MDR bacterial composition. Patients with biofilm-contaminated catheters had a 3.1-fold higher risk of confirmed CAUTI. These findings underscore the necessity of catheter care protocols including early catheter removal, antiseptic catheter materials, and targeted antifungal and antibacterial management strategies in North East Nigeria. Keywords: urinary catheter, biofilm, CAUTI, multidrug resistance, Nguru.