Antimicrobials as Potential Adjunctive Agents in the Treatment of Biofilm Infection with <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i>

Abstract

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the interaction of erythromycin or rifampin with vancomycin against Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. Methods: Biofilm-forming S. epidermidis strains (ATCC 35983, 35984) and polyurethane (PU) sheets were incubated for the formation of bacterial biofilms. Biofilms on PU sheets were treated with various antibiotic regimens. The number of viable bacteria on the sheets was counted. Results: While erythromycin or vancomycin alone did not significantly reduce the biofilm bacterial concentration, the combination of vancomycin and erythromycin resulted in a clear reduction in bacterial concentration compared with the single agents. Rifampin was the most active single agent against biofilm-forming S. epidermidis, while the combination of rifampin and vancomycin showed further reduction in bacterial concentration. Conclusions: These data suggest that the combination of erythromycin or rifampin and vancomycin is more effective than vancomycin alone in the treatment of biofilm infections caused by biofilm-forming S. epidermidis.

4-Diazopyrazole Derivatives as Potential New Antibiofilm Agents

“…The data obtained against this reference strain confirm that rifampicin is one of the most active conventional antibiotics against staphylococcal biofilms [11,12] .…”

Rifampin Combination Therapy for Nonmycobacterial Infections

“…Rifampin achieves high concentrations within neutrophils, endothelial cells, macrophages, and biofilms and has improved activity in combination with another antibiotic compared to that if it is used alone (19,64,195,216). Saginur et al demonstrated that the addition of rifampin to the treatment of S. epidermidis and MRSA biofilm infections resulted in improved antimicrobial susceptibility to other antimicrobials compared to that if used alone.…”

Effect of Antibiotic Treatment on Bacterial Attachment to a DePuy Enduron^TM Orthopedic Implant

“…Eradication of the established bacterial biofi lm is rather diffi cult [19] . Biofi lms showed increased resistance against the defensive system, phagocytic cells, antibodies and enzymes of the hosts.…”

“…The exopolysaccharide matrix protects the microbes against antibiotics [9] , enzymes and the immunological protection system of the host. The presence of a biofi lm might induce very resistant infections, resulting in reoperation, removal of prosthetic devices and further fi nancial costs.…”