title: [Comparison of the activity against Streptococcus mutans of a chlorhexidine-based antiseptic as a suspension or as a biofilm].
abstract: When bacteria colonize a surface they form a biofilm whose susceptibility to anti-microbials is different from that of the same bacterial species forming a homogeneous suspension in a liquid. This study investigated colonization of an inert solid phase (Tygon) with Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25,175--one of the strains involved in the initiation of cariogenic dental plaque--in a continuous flow of fresh medium sufficiently diluted so as to preclude growth of suspended bacteria. Only those bacteria which adhered to the solid phase grew, forming a biofilm. The antiseptic activity of Eludril (0.1% chlorhexidine) on this biofilm under dynamic (flowing medium) and static (stagnant medium) conditions was studied by comparison with the same strain in a suspension (in compliance with the AFNOR NF T 72-150 norm) and in a confluent culture on a filtering membrane. The biofilm was less susceptible under dynamic than under static conditions; under both conditions, the biofilm was less susceptible than the suspension. According to this model, the concentration of antiseptic recommended by the manufacturer according to studies using AFNOR norm NF T 72-150 (bacteria in a suspension) may be inadequate for bacteria adhering to tooth surfaces or gingival mucosa.
authors.affiliation: UFR Odontologie, Reims, France.
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Jacquelin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carquin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Le Magrex
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Choisy
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003470:Culture Media; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D002710:Chlorhexidine
vernacular_title: Comparaison de l'activité d'un antiseptique à base de chlorhexidine sur Streptococcus mutans en suspension et en biofilm.