Susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm to antibiotics and calcium hydroxide

J Oral Sci. 2007 Jun;49(2):161-6. doi: 10.2334/josnusd.49.161.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of six groups of antibiotics and calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in a membrane filter model. Two-day-old E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) biofilm was exposed to ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, erythr omycin, oxytetracycline, vancomycin, vancomycin followed by gentamicin, Ca(OH)(2), and phosphate-buffered saline (control). After 1 h of exposure, the antimicrobial activity was neutralized by washing each disc five times in PBS, and then the colony-forming units of the remaining viable bacteria on each disc were counted. The results revealed that only erythromycin, oxytetracycline and Ca(OH)2 showed 100% biofilm kill. An ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test (P < 0.05) detected significant differences among the test agents, except in the ampicillin group versus the co-trimoxazole group. It is concluded that erythromycin, oxytetracycline and Ca(OH)2 are 100% effective in eliminating E. faecalis biofilm, whereas ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, vancomycin, and vancomycin followed by gentamicin are ineffective.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Calcium Hydroxide / pharmacology*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Enterococcus faecalis / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Root Canal Filling Materials / pharmacology*
  • Root Canal Irrigants / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Root Canal Filling Materials
  • Root Canal Irrigants
  • Calcium Hydroxide