We report the antibiofilm activity by the sponge-associated bacterium Cobetia marina upon Staphylococcus epidermidis clinical isolates obtained from central venous catheters. Antibiofilm activity/antimicrobial susceptibility correlation might predict the action of the metabolite(s) upon Staphylococcus epidermidis in the clinic, making it a possible adjuvant in therapies against biofilm-associat...

Gamma irradiation is widely used for sterilization; however, its effect on elimination of amplifiable DNA, an issue of relevance to molecular diagnostic approaches, has not been well studied. The effect of gamma irradiation on the viability of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli (using quantitative cultures) and on their DNA (using quantitative 16S rRNA gene PCR) was evaluated. Viab...

Electrophoretic and serologic characterization of extracellular proteinases from 111 isolates (80 biotype 1 and 31 biotype 4) of Staphylococcus epidermidis (coagulase negative) of human origin were conducted. Seventy-seven (60 of biotype 1, 17 of biotype 4) of the 111 proteinase-positive isolated of S. epidermidis were classified by serological differentiation of their proteolytic enzymes with ...

To study human neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)) migration and killing of bacteria in an environment similar to that found in inflamed tissues in vivo, we have used fibrin gels. Fibrin gels (1500 microm thick) containing Staphylococcus epidermidis were formed in Boyden-type chemotaxis chambers. PMN migrated < 300 microm into these gels in 6 h and did not kill S. epidermidis when th...

Objectives To determine the effect of root canal irrigants on the hydrophobicity and adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) to root canal dentin in vitro. Materials and Methods Root dentin blocks (n = 60) were randomly divided into 4 groups based on the irrigation regimen: group 1, saline; group 2, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); group 3, 5.25% NaOCl followed by 17% ethyl...

OBJECTIVES To report an outbreak of colonization with linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in an intensive therapy unit (ITU). METHODS An outbreak of colonization with linezolid-resistant S. epidermidis affecting 16 patients in an ITU was investigated using PFGE. Environmental and staff screening was carried out as part of the investigation. Usage of linezolid in the hospital and in...

BACKGROUND Urtica dioica is a flowering plant with long history of use in folk medicine and as a food source. OBJECTIVES This study examined in vitro antibacterial potential of alcoholic extracts of U. dioica. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hydroalcoholic extracts from aerial parts were prepared using aqueous solution of ethanol and methanol and their inhibitory effects against clinical isolates was...

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a usually harmless commensal bacterium highly abundant on the human skin. Under defined predisposing conditions, most importantly implantation of a medical device, S. epidermidis, however, can switch from a colonizing to an invasive life style. The emergence of S. epidermidis as an opportunistic pathogen is closely linked to the biofilm forming capability of the sp...

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections and is often associated with infections in patients with implanted prosthetic devices. A number of virulence determinants have been identified in S. epidermidis, which are typically acquired through horizontal gene transfer. Due to the high recombination potential, bacteriophages play an important ro...

Peri-prosthetic infections are notoriously difficult to treat as the biomaterial implant is ideal for bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, resulting in decreased antibiotic sensitivity. Previously, we reported that vancomycin covalently attached to a Ti alloy surface (Vanc-Ti) could prevent bacterial colonization. Herein we examine the effect of this Vanc-Ti surface on Staphylococci epider...