In vitro activity of allicin against Staphylococcus epidermidis and influence of subinhibitory concentrations on biofilm formation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to determine the in vitro activity of allicin against Staphylococcus epidermidis and to evaluate the influence of allicin on biofilm formation.


RESULTS
In vitro activity of allicin (diallyl thiosulphinate) against 38 strains of S. epidermidis was investigated. The activity of allicin was similar against S. epidermidis methicillin susceptible and methicillin resistant strains [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)90=8 mg l(-1)]. In general, subinhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) of allicin diminished biofilm formation in the five strains analysed.


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm the antibacterial effect of allicin. Sub-MICs of allicin also diminished the biofilm formations by S. epidermidis.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows that allicin is active in vitro against S. epidermidis and that sub-MICs of allicin may play a role in the prevention of adherence of this bacteria to medical devices.
Pérez-Giraldo
C
C
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain.
Cruz-Villalón
G
G
Sánchez-Silos
R
R
Martínez-Rubio
R
R
Blanco
M T
MT
Gómez-García
A C
AC
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018441:Biofilms; D004220:Disulfides; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D004220:Disulfides; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; C006452:allicin