Shilan S. Ahmad

This study was carried out during the period (March to July 2012). A total of two hundred and fifty high vaginal swabs were collected from (100 pregnant and 150 non- pregnant) women patients with genital tract infection at the age ranged between (18- 55) years, who attended the gynecology clinics and obstetrics department of Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil city. Vaginal swab samples were collected and direct examined for pH measurement, microscopic Gram stain examination and culture techniques. Isolated microorganisms were identified using microscopical, morphological, biochemical tests, analytic profile index system and Vitek 2 compact system. The results showed that positive vaginal cultures were detected in 233 (93.2%) women patients, among pregnant were 95 (95%), while among non- pregnant were 138 (92%). The total number of bacteria isolates obtained from women patients were (191) isolates. These isolates were distributed between Gram- positive bacteria 118 (61.8%) and Gram- negative bacteria 73 (38.2%). All Gram- positive and Gram- negative bacterial isolates (191) were screened for biofilm production as one of the virulence factors by using two different methods (tube method and tissue culture plate method) and the results showed that the tissue culture plate method was the most sensitive method for detection of biofilm production. The results by tube method were 94 (49.2%) as non or weak and 97 (50.8%) as strong and moderate biofilm producers, while by tissue culture plate method using ELISA (Enzyme- linked immuno sorbent assay) system were 68 (35.6%) as non or weak and 123 (64.4%) as strong and moderate biofilm producers.