Chitosan: antimicrobial action upon staphylococci after impregnation onto cotton fabric

Abstract

Background: High levels of viable Staphylococcus aureus, which are often found on inflamed skin surfaces, are usually associated with atopic dermatitis. Textiles, owing to their high specific surface area and intrinsic hydrophilicity, retain moisture while also providing excellent environmental conditions for microbial growth and proliferation. Recently, a number of chemicals have been added to textiles, so as to confer antimicrobial activity. Aims: To evaluate the antimicrobial action of chitosan upon selected skin staphylococci. Methods and Results: We isolated staphylococci from normal skin of 24 volunteers and studied their survival upon contact with chitosan‐impregnated cotton fabric. Low and high molecular weight chitosans were used at two concentrations; all four did effectively reduce the growth of some staphylococci (namely Staph. aureus), by up to 5 log cycles, thus unfolding a potential towards control and even prevention of related skin disorders. Conclusion: Our data suggest an effective, but selective antibacterial action of chitosans towards skin bacteria. Significance and Impact of the Study: The possibility to use a natural biopolymer incorporated in a textile to alleviate and even treat some of the symptoms associated with this skin condition may raise an alternative to existing medical treatments. The selectivity observed prevents full elimination of bacteria from the skin surface, which is an advantage.

A diversity profile from the staphylococcal community on atopic dermatitis skin: a molecular approach

“…Samples from the antecubital crease of 24 healthy controls obtained through a previously reported research (Tavaria et al 2012) were also integrated in this study.…”

“…The samples were cultured in Baird Parker medium (BPM; Lab M, Lancashire, UK) by spread plate technique in duplicate and incubated at 37°C during 24-48 h. The micro-organism isolation procedure was performed as described by Soares et al (2011). A total of 194 isolates were obtained from the skin of patients with AD and 48 isolates from the skin of healthy individuals, isolated and selected according to Tavaria et al (2012).…”

“…lentus) isolates for each species formerly identified by multiplex PCR was performed by sodA gene sequencing as described by Tavaria et al (2012).…”

“…The list of the primers used and the PCR products generated is described in Table 2. Multiplex PCR and amplification were performed as described by Tavaria et al (2012).…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan Membranes Against Staphylococcus Aureus of Clinical Origin

“…"n alternative to antibiotics is curing materials with bioactive components. These dressings should ideally maintain a moist environment, act as antimicrobials to prevent secondary infections, remove exudate, and promote tissue regeneration [9,10] One group evaluated the antimicrobial action of coton textile impregnated with chitosan against bacteria isolated from the skin and found that chitosans of low-and highmolecular weight showed efective inhibition of S. aureus [11]. "nother studied the efect of chitosan in antimicrobial ultrastructural organization of clinical S. aureus strains and found changes in its cell and cytoplasmic membrane.…”