Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Thin Film Composite Silicon Elastomers for Cell Culture and Skin Applications: Manufacturing and Characterization
08:02

Thin Film Composite Silicon Elastomers for Cell Culture and Skin Applications: Manufacturing and Characterization

Published on: July 3, 2018

Vancomycin resistance among strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis: effects on adherence to silicone

E N Ahanotu1, J H Stone, S K McAllister

  • 1Department of Biology, Georgia Sate University, 24 Peachtree Center Avenue, Rm 402 Kell Hall, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.

Current Microbiology
|June 8, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Vancomycin resistance in Gram-positive cocci is rising. This study found vancomycin reduced Staphylococcus epidermidis adherence to silicone, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy against device-related infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biomaterials Science

Background:

  • Nosocomial device-related infections caused by Gram-positive cocci are a growing concern.
  • Increasing vancomycin resistance in these pathogens complicates treatment.
  • Coagulase-negative staphylococci are common culprits in such infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate vancomycin resistance in clinical isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci.
  • To assess the in vitro adherence capabilities of these bacteria to medical-grade silicone.
  • To determine the effect of vancomycin on bacterial adherence to silicone.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci were screened for vancomycin resistance.
  • In vitro adherence assays were performed using medical-grade silicone.
  • The impact of vancomycin on bacterial adherence was evaluated under various conditions.

Main Results:

  • Vancomycin resistance was detected in 9 out of 20 isolates.
  • No correlation was observed between vancomycin resistance and silicone adherence in the absence of the antibiotic.
  • Vancomycin, whether in the medium or adsorbed to silicone or bacterial cells, significantly reduced adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Conclusions:

  • Vancomycin resistance is prevalent in clinical coagulase-negative staphylococci.
  • Vancomycin exhibits anti-adherence properties against Staphylococcus epidermidis on silicone surfaces.
  • These findings suggest a potential role for vancomycin in preventing or treating device-related infections.

More Related Videos

Improved Enzyme Protection Assay to Study Staphylococcus aureus Internalization and Intracellular Efficacy of Antimicrobial Compounds06:36

Improved Enzyme Protection Assay to Study Staphylococcus aureus Internalization and Intracellular Efficacy of Antimicrobial Compounds

Published on: September 8, 2021

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro11:52

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro

Published on: April 21, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...