TY - JOUR AU - Olwal, Charles Ochieng’ AU - Ang’ienda, Paul Oyieng’ AU - Onyango, David Miruka AU - Ochiel, Daniel Otieno PY - 2018 DA - 2018/05/02 TI - Susceptibility patterns and the role of extracellular DNA in Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm resistance to physico-chemical stress exposure JO - BMC Microbiology SP - 40 VL - 18 IS - 1 AB - Over 65% of human infections are ascribed to bacterial biofilms that are often highly resistant to antibiotics and host immunity. Staphylococcus epidermidis is the predominant cause of recurrent nosocomial and biofilm-related infections. However, the susceptibility patterns of S. epidermidis biofilms to physico-chemical stress induced by commonly recommended disinfectants [(heat, sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)] in domestic and human healthcare settings remains largely unknown. Further, the molecular mechanisms of bacterial biofilms resistance to the physico-chemical stresses remain unclear. Growing evidence demonstrates that extracellular DNA (eDNA) protects bacterial biofilms against antibiotics. However, the role of eDNA as a potential mechanism underlying S. epidermidis biofilms resistance to physico-chemical stress exposure is yet to be understood. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility patterns of and eDNA release by S. epidermidis biofilm and planktonic cells to physico-chemical stress exposure. SN - 1471-2180 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-018-1183-y DO - 10.1186/s12866-018-1183-y ID - Olwal2018 ER -