Intrathecal baclofen does not inhibit the growth of different bacterial species and Candida albicans.
BACKGROUND
The antimicrobial activity of intrathecal baclofen was investigated. Several different microorganisms were used: Staphylococcus aureus (beta-lactamase-positive and beta-lactamase-negative strains); S epidermidis; Enterococcus faecalis; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Escherichia coli; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and Candida albicans.


METHODS
Three experimental approaches were used to assess baclofen antimicrobial activity: (1) determination of the MIC; (2) determination of the MBC; and (3) kinetic time-kill assay. Experiments were performed according to current methods of the NCCLS.


RESULTS
As compared with control organisms exposed to physiologic saline, organisms exposed to baclofen over a 10-day period failed to reduce the number of viable cells by at least 3 log(10), as requested by NCCLS criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
Because the viability of the investigated organisms was not reduced over that of microbial suspensions exposed to physiologic saline, we conclude that intrathecal baclofen has no measurable activity against different bacterial species and C albicans.
Neurosurgical Clinic, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi and Insubria University, 21100 Varese, Italy. dario.alessandro@virgilio.it
Alessandro
A
Dario
Andrea
A
Endimiani
Antonio
A
Toniolo
Anna
A
Iadini
Simone
S
Sangiorgi
Carlo
C
Scamoni
Giustino
G
Tomei
D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020563:Gammaproteobacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D018755:GABA Agonists; D001418:Baclofen