Search results for " biofilm"

In vitro anti-biofilm activity of Boswellia spp. oleogum resin essential oils

2009

Aims:  To evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of the commercially available essential oils from two Boswellia species. Methods and Results:  The susceptibility of staphylococcal and Candida albicans biofilms was determined by methyltiazotetrazolium (MTT) staining. At concentrations ranging from 217·3 μg ml−1 (25% v/v) to 6·8 μg ml−1 (0·75% v/v), the essential oil of Boswellia papyrifera showed considerable activity against both Staphylococcus epidermidis DSM 3269 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 biofilms. The anti-microbial efficacy of this oil against S. epidermidis RP62A biofilms was also tested using live/dead staining in combination with fluorescence microscopy, and we observed that …

4-Diazopyrazole Derivatives as Potential New Antibiofilm Agents

2008

<i>Background:</i> The recognition that chronic infections and infections associated with medical devices are biofilm related has been the impulse for investigating the antibiofilm properties of some diazopyrazoles biologically active as antimicrobials. <i>Methods:</i> The susceptibility of staphylococcal biofilms was determined at concentrations ranging from 25 to 1.5 µg/ml using crystal violet and methylthiazotetrazolium (MTT) staining. In the case of <i>Candida albicans,</i> we first assessed the anti-germ tube formation effect of 4-NO<sub>2</sub> (compound 1c) and then we evaluated its antibiofilm activity at concentrations ranging from 10…

Control of biofilm formation by poly-ethylene-co-vinyl acetate films incorporating nisin.

2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of poly-ethylene-co-vinyl acetate (EVA) films incorporating different concentrations (0.1%, 0.5% and 1%) of nisin on the biofilm-forming ability of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644, Staphylococcus aureus 815 and Staphylococ-cus epidermidis ATCC 35984. Nisin was incorporated into two grades of EVA (EVA14 and EVA28) in the melt during a common film-blowing operation. The efficacy of EVA/nisin films was evaluated by biofilm biomass measurements and Live/Dead staining in combination with fluorescence microscopy. In order to evaluate whether the nisin incorporation could modify the film surface properties, contact angle measurements and scanning e…

Fragments of β-thymosin from the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus as potential antimicrobial peptides against staphylococcal biofilms.

2012

The immune mediators in echinoderms can be a potential source of novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) applied toward controlling pathogenic staphylococcal biofilms that are intrinsically resistant to conventional antibiotics. The peptide fraction5 kDa from the cytosol of coelomocytes of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (5-CC) was tested against a group of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogen reference strains. The 5-CC of P. lividus was active against all planktonic-tested strains but also showed antibiofilm properties against staphylococcal strains. Additionally, we demonstrated the presence of three small peptides in the 5-CC belonging to segment 9-41 of a P. lividusβ-thymosin. The…

Comparison between hybrid moving bed biofilm reactor and activated sludge system: a pilot plant experiment

2010

The paper presents the comparison between the traditional activated sludge system (AS) and a hybrid moving bed biofilm reactor (HMBBR). In particular, an experimental campaign has been carried out at the WWTP in Palermo (Italy), on a pilot plant consisting of two pre-anoxic schemes. The aerated tank of the HMBBR line was filled with suspended carriers (AnoxKaldnes™ K1), with a 30% filling ratio. The hydraulic load of the HMBBR line was increased up to two times the AS one. Further, in order to distinguish the additional contribution of the attached biomass for the HMBBR system, in the two lines the Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) was maintained as equal as possible. The monitoring peri…

Nano into Micro Formulations of Tobramycin for the Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections in Cystic Fibrosis.

2017

Here, nano into micro formulations (NiMs) of tobramycin for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) are described. NiMs were produced by spray drying a solution containing polymers or sugars and a nanometric polyanion–tobramcyin complex (PTC), able to achieve a prolonged antibiotic release. NiMs properties were compared to TOBIPodhaler(Novartis), the only one commercially available dry powder inhalatory formulation based on porous microparticles. Produced NiMs showed adequate characteristics for pulmonary administration, as spherical shape, micrometric size, and high cytocompatibility toward human bronchial epithelial cells. Contrarily to TOBIPodhal…

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Vancomycin

2007

Staphylococci coagulase-negative and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common cause of nosocomial infections and can induce a wide spectrum of diseases associated with remarkable morbidity and mortality. Biofilms of staphylococci are intrinsically resistant to conventional antibiotics and, being commonly associated with implanted medical device, such as catheters and vascular grafts, have the potential to cause blood-stream infections. In recent years increasing attention has been addressed to Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs), thanks to their biodegradability and ability to entrap a variety of biologically active compounds, in the area of modified drug delivery technology in the attempt to…

GENETICS AND BIOFILM ANALYSIS ON STRAINS OF E.COLI ISOLATED FROM ANIMALS WITH DIARRHOEIC PROBLEMS

2015

Microbial Biofilms Along a Geochemical Gradient at the Shallow-Water Hydrothermal System of Vulcano Island, Mediterranean Sea

2022

Shallow water hydrothermal vents represent highly dynamic environments where strong geochemical gradients can shape microbial communities. Recently, these systems are being widely used for investigating the effects of ocean acidification on biota as vent emissions can release high CO2 concentrations causing local pH reduction. However, other gas species, as well as trace elements and metals, are often released in association with CO2 and can potentially act as confounding factors. In this study, we evaluated the composition, diversity and inferred functional profiles of microbial biofilms in Levante Bay (Vulcano Island, Italy, Mediterranean Sea), a well-studied shallow-water hydrothermal ve…

MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN A HYBRID ACTIVATED SLUDGE BIOFILM REACTOR: A PILOT PLANT EXPERIENCE

2008

A hybrid activated sludge/biofilm process (IFAS) was investigated. This process which contains both suspended and attached biomass, is created by introducing plastic elements as biofilm carriers material into a classical activated sludge system. This process is suitable for upgrading existing activated sludge wastewater treatment plants which are no longer able to comply with the effluent standards, and in particular in those cases where the existing plant does not nitrify or only nitrify during summer. However, the IFAS processes are relatively new and there are still uncertainties with respect to their design. A main task is to find a rational approach to the design of nitrification in hy…