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Reduction of surface contamination and biofilms of enterococcus sp. and staphylococcus aureus using a citrus-based vapour

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.

Item Type: Article
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: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA960 Medical centers. Hospitals. Dispensaries. Clinics > RA969 Infection control
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR75 Bacteria
Creators: Laird, Katie, Armitage, D and Phillips, Carol A
Publisher: Elsevier
Northamptonshire and East Midlands: Health
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society
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
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2011.04.008
ISSN: 0195-6701
Status: Published / Disseminated
Related URLs:
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/4750

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