Bactericidal activity of citrate against Gram-positive cocci.
OBJECTIVE
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are now important nosocomial pathogens and are usually resistant to multiple antibiotics. Citrate is an alternative antimicrobial product which has been used as a preservative.


RESULTS
In this pilot study the bactericidal activity of Na citrate against 10 isolates of CNS and 6 other gram-positive pathogens was examined and compared with that of Na lactate.


CONCLUSIONS
All staphylococci tested were susceptible (> or = 2 log(10) killing) to citrate at 6.25-25 mg ml(-1). Na lactate showed only modest killing at 50 or 100 mg ml(-1).


CONCLUSIONS
Citrate may warrant broader evaluation as an antimicrobial additive such as in topical agents.
Lee
Y L
YL
University of California Irvine Medical Center, 101 City Drive, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
Thrupp
L
L
Owens
J
J
Cesario
T
T
Shanbrom
E
E
D019343:Citric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019354:Sodium Lactate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
D019343:Citric Acid; D019354:Sodium Lactate