Interaction between biofilms formed by Staphylococcus epidermidis and quinolones.

The interaction between pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin and biofilms formed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (20 clinical isolates) was studied. In the presence of 1/2-MIC and 1/8-MIC of quinolones, the optical density of the biofilms was reduced to 22-24% and 65-74% of the controls, respectively. Treatment of preformed biofilms with quinolones in concentrations ranging from 12.5 microg/ml to 400 microg/mL caused reduction in the optical density of the adherent biofilms to 45-77% of the control. In an in vitro model of vascular catheter colonization, subinhibitory concentrations (12, 14 and 1/8 MIC) of fluoroquinolones reduced the number of adherent bacteria to 24-28%, 48-55% and 58-76% of the controls, respectively. The vascular catheter segments precolonized with Staphylococcus epidermidis for 24 h and exposed to the fluoroquinolones in 8-16 times MIC (100 microg/mL) for 2 h showed no growth of adherent cells. The activity of pefloxacin in reducing the bacterial adhesion and eradicating the preformed biofilms was demonstrated by scanning electron microscope. These data show that subinhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, pefloxacin, and ofloxacin inhibit the adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis to plastic surfaces and vascular catheters. Higher concentrations of fluoroquinolones were able to eradicate the preformed biofilms on vascular catheters.