title: Anomalous growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis in the presence of Silastic and glycopeptide antibiotics.
abstract: In the presence of supra-inhibitory concentrations of the glycopeptide antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin, biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis on a Silastic surface produce anomalous growth. This takes the form of macroscopic, cohesive aggregates of cocci bound together with slime. This phenomenon was intermittent, independent of antibiotic concentrations between 20 and 50 micrograms ml-1, occurred more often with teicoplanin, and was found both with slime-positive and slime-negative strains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hamilton-Miller
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017334:Teicoplanin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D017334:Teicoplanin; D014640:Vancomycin