Tetracycline and rifampicin induced a viable but nonculturable state in Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Carvalhais, V (Author) Other; Perez Cabezas, B (Author) Other; Oliveira, C (Author) Other; Vitorino, R (Author) FMUP; Manuel Vilanova (Author) ICBAS; Cerca, N (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Future Microbiology

Vol. 13

Pages: 27-36

ISSN: 1746-0913

Publisher: Future Medicine Ltd.

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 15 Citations

Scopus - 15 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-Q16

DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2017-0107

Abstract (EN): Aim: The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of antibiotics on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms with different proportions of dormant bacteria, using clinical and commensal isolates. Materials & methods: The ability of S. epidermidis isolates to develop a dormant state was determined. The susceptibility of biofilms with prevented or induced dormancy to antibiotics was evaluated by enumeration of viable and cultivable cells, and confocal microscopy. Results: Dormancy was observed in the majority of tested strains. Tetracycline and rifampicin enhanced the development of a viable but noncultivable biofilm state. Conclusion: Biofilms with induced dormancy were more likely to survive rifampicin. Furthermore, we found that the reduction of cultivable cells was not sufficient to reach definite conclusions on antimicrobial effectiveness.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10