Eradication of biofilm-forming Staphylococcus epidermidis (RP62A) by a combination of sodium salicylate and vancomycin

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major cause of infections associated with indwelling medical devices. Biofilm production is an important virulence attribute in the pathogenesis of device-related infections. Therefore, elimination of these biofilms is an ideal treatment. Salicylate (5 mM) combined with 1 mug of vancomycin per ml inhibited biofilm formation by S. epidermidis (RP62A) by greater than or equal to 99.9%. When biofilm-coated polystyrene beads were exposed to 5 mM sodium salicylate and 4 mug of vancomycin per ml (one-half the minimum biofilm eradication concentration), there was a > 99.9% reduction in viable count.