title: Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms control by N-acetylcysteine and rifampicin.
abstract: Medical device-associated infections caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis usually involve biofilm formation and its eradication is particularly challenging. Although rifampicin has been proving to be one of the most effective antibiotics against S. epidermidis biofilms, its use as a single agent can lead to the acquisition of resistance. Therefore, we assessed the combined effect of rifampicin with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) known by its mucolytic effect, in the control of S. epidermidis biofilms. Biofilms of 2 S. epidermidis strains (9142 and 1457) were treated with 1x minimum inhibitory concentration (4 mg/mL) and 10x minimum inhibitory concentration (40 mg/mL) of NAC and 10 mg/L (peak serum) of rifampicin alone and in combination. NAC at 40 mg/L alone or in combination with rifampicin (10 mg/L) significantly reduced (4 log10) the number of biofilm cells. Considering their different modes of action, the association of NAC with rifampicin constitutes a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of infections associated to S. epidermidis biofilms.
authors.affiliation: IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Clovis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pizzolitto
authors.forename: Rosário
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000382:microbiology; D005100:Expectorants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005100:Expectorants; D012293:Rifampin; D000111:Acetylcysteine