Antibacterial activity of remifentanil and mixtures of remifentanil and propofol.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the antibacterial activity of glycine, which is contained in remifentanil, when combined with propofol.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Departments of anesthesiology and microbiology of a university hospital.


METHODS
Growth of the microorganisms Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans in propofol 1%; saline dilutions of remifentanil at one-, 10-, and 100-microg/mL concentrations; and 1:1 mixtures of propofol with remifentanil solutions was determined.


RESULTS
Remifentanil inhibits bacterial growth in a concentration-dependent manner. The antibacterial effects were more pronounced with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at cultures obtained at the fifth hour. The inhibition of bacterial growth was less influenced with Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.


CONCLUSIONS
Propofol and remifentanil mixtures decreased bacterial growth, and combinations may reduce the infectious complications from accidentally contaminated propofol.
Apan
Teoman Zafer
TZ
Department of Microbiology, Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale 71100, Turkey. teomanapan@yahoo.com
Apan
Alpaslan
A
Sahin
Saziye
S
Cakirca
Mehmet
M
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D005998:Glycine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018684:Glycine Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010880:Piperidines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015742:Propofol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D000077208:Remifentanil; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018684:Glycine Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil; D005998:Glycine; D015742:Propofol