Laird, K., Armitage, D. and Phillips, C. A. (2012) Reduction of surface contamination and biofilms of enterococcus sp. and staphylococcus aureus using a citrus-based vapour. Journal of Hospital Infection. 80(1), pp. 61-66. 0195-6701.
- Information
Information
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:
Antibiotic-resistant organisms such as meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus sp. (VRE) are an ongoing problem in hospitals. Essential oil vapours (EOs) have been shown to reduce environmental bacterial contamination.
AIMS:
To assess the efficacy of Citri-V™, a vaporized blend of citrus EOs (orange: bergamot, 1:1 v/v) (Belmay, Northampton, UK), at removing Enterococcus sp. and S. aureus from stainless steel surfaces; and to investigate its effect on the formation of bacterial biofilms.
METHODS:
A microplate assay was used to assess the effect of the citrus vapour on the formation of biofilms and their metabolic activity. Biofilm removal from stainless steel surfaces was measured by a colorimetric assay and by digital microscopy.
FINDINGS:
The citrus vapour reduced VRE and MRSA on stainless steel surfaces by 1.5-3log(10) after 24h exposure. Staphylococcal biofilms were reduced both during and after formation, whereas enterococcal biofilms were significantly reduced (P≤0.05) only after formation. Metabolic activity decreased by up to 72% in strains tested. Two-dimensional digital microscopy showed reductions in biofilm coverage of the stainless steel disc by as much as 99.5%.
CONCLUSION:
Citrus vapour has potential for application in the clinical environment, for instance as a secondary disinfectant to reduce surface contamination by VRE and MRSA.
Subjects:
Creators:
Laird, K., Armitage, D. and Phillips, C. A.
Publisher:
Elsevier
Northamptonshire and East Midlands:
Health
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
Date:
January 2012
Date Type:
Publication
Page Range:
pp. 61-66
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Hospital Infection
Volume:
80
Number:
1
Language:
English
ISSN:
0195-6701
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Related URLs:
![]() |