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Updated: Aug 20, 2026

An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues
07:50

An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues

Published on: January 7, 2019

BisEDT and RIP act in synergy to prevent graft infections by resistant staphylococci

Philip Domenico1, Ellen Gurzenda, Andrea Giacometti

  • 1Cardio Pulmonary Research Institute, Winthrop-University Hospital, SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine, Mineola 11501, New York, NY, USA. pdomenico@winthrop.org

Peptides
|December 2, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Combining RNAIII-inhibiting peptide (RIP) and Bismuth ethanedithiol (BisEDT) effectively prevented staphylococcal infections and biofilm formation on medical devices in a rat model, reducing bacterial load to undetectable levels.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biomaterials Science

Background:

  • Staphylococcal infections are common with indwelling medical devices.
  • Biofilm formation by Staphylococci contributes to antibiotic resistance.
  • Quorum sensing mechanisms are key to staphylococcal pathogenesis and biofilm development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of RNAIII-inhibiting peptide (RIP) and Bismuth ethanedithiol (BisEDT), alone and in combination, in preventing staphylococcal infections and biofilm formation.
  • To assess the effectiveness against both antibiotic-sensitive and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Main Methods:

  • A rat graft model was used to simulate medical device-associated infections.
  • Treatment groups included BisEDT, RIP, rifampin, and their combinations.
  • Bacterial load on grafts was quantified over a seven-day period.

Main Results:

  • All tested agents (BisEDT, RIP, rifampin) and their combinations reduced graft-associated bacterial load.
  • The combination of BisEDT and RIP demonstrated the most significant reduction in bacterial levels.
  • The BisEDT-RIP combination reduced bacterial load to undetectable levels.

Conclusions:

  • The combination of BisEDT and RIP is highly effective in preventing staphylococcal infections and biofilm formation.
  • BisEDT-RIP holds promise for coating medical devices to mitigate device-associated staphylococcal infections.
  • This combination therapy offers a potential strategy against antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal strains.

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