title: Efficacy of selected biocides in the decontamination of common nosocomial bacterial pathogens in biofilm and planktonic forms.
abstract: The efficacy and use of biocides to eliminate pathogens in the health care environment are based on their testing against planktonic bacteria. In the environment, bacteria exist in biofilms, as they do on medical devices, and as planktonic or viable non-culturable forms as well. This work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of four biocides against the biofilm and planktonic phases of nine common nosocomial bacteria. The bactericidal activity of the biocides against bacteria in the planktonic form was assessed using a broth microdilution technique. The killing activity of the biocides against biofilms was evaluated using cells grown on polyethylene tubes under a dynamic flow-cell system that was designed for biofilm growth. All biocides completely killed the planktonic bacteria at all concentrations; however, they did not eradicate the biofilms of the same pathogens. Our study highlights the need for an alternative strategy, one that utilizes chemicals that have been tested to disrupt or prevent biofilm growth, in order to enhance current disinfection practice.
authors.affiliation: German University in Cairo, GUC, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: mohamed.el-azizi@guc.edu.eg.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Azizi
authors.affiliation: German University in Cairo, GUC, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Noha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Farag
authors.affiliation: East Virginia Medical School, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khardori
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D016956:Burkholderia cepacia / Q000187:drug effects; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016984:Enterococcus faecium / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010463:Peracetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010933:Plankton / Q000187:drug effects*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004202:Disinfectants; D010463:Peracetic Acid
keywords: Biocides; Biofilm; Nosocomial infection; Planktonic bacteria