The influence of various concentrations (0.003-8 mg/mL) of N-acetylcysteine on the formation of biofilms by 15 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis has been studied. A dose-related decrease in biofilm formation was observed, except with the lowest concentrations. The 'slime' index relative to the control was 63%, 55%, 46%, 34%, 26% and 26% in the presence of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/mL of N-acetylcysteine, respectively. These data are statistically significant. The inhibitory effect of 2 mg/mL of N-acetylcysteine on slime formation was also verified by electron microscopy.
The influence of various incubation atmospheres on the growth and slime production of 23 Staphylococcus epidermidis strains was studied. The atmospheres evaluated were aerobiosis (control), anaerobiosis, candle jar, 5% CO2 and 10% CO2. As compared to the aerobic control, growth was 55.7 +/- 19% (p < 0.01) in anaerobic incubation, 113.7 +/- 12% (p < 0.01) in 5% CO2, 112.8 +/- 13% (p < 0.01) in 10% CO2 and 106.4 +/- 7% (p > 0.1) in the candle jar. The slime production in relation to the aerobic control was 20.3 +/- 19% in anaerobiosis (p < 0.01), 22.3 +/- 27% (p < 0.01) in 5% CO2, 29.4 +/- 39% (p < 0.01) in 10% CO2 and 68.3 +/- 26% (p > 0.1) in the candle jar. The results of this study may explain the discrepancies which have been noted on occasion between slime formation data and pathogenicity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.