Citations

New strategies are needed for prevention of biofilm formation. We have previously shown that 24 hr of 2,000 µA of direct current (DC) reducesStaphylococcus epidermidisbiofilm formationin vitro. Herein, we examined the effect of a lower amount of DC exposure onS. epidermidis,Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Propionibacterium acnes, andCandida albicansbiofilm formation. 12 hr of 500 µA DC decreasedS. epidermidis,S. aureus,E. coli, andP. aeruginosabiofilm formation on Teflon discs by 2, 1, 1, and 2 log10cfu/cm2, respectively (p<0.05). Reductions inS. epidermidis,S. aureus, andE. colibiofilm formation were observed with as few as 12 hr of 200 µA DC (2, 2 and 0.4 log10 cfu/cm2, resp.); a 1 log10 cfu/cm2reduction inP. aeruginosabiofilm formation was observed at 36 hr. 24 hr of 500 µA DC decreasedC. albicansbiofilm formation on Teflon discs by 2 log10 cfu/cm2. No reduction inP. acnesbiofilm formation was observed. 1 and 2 log10 cfu/cm2reductions inE. coliandS. epidermidisbiofilm formation on titanium discs, respectively, were observed with 12 hr of exposure to 500 µA. Electrical current is a potential strategy to reduce biofilm formation on medical biomaterials.