Antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of sodium hypochlorite against Staphylococcus aureus isolates derived from patients with atopic dermatitis. (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eriksson, S.; van der Plas, M.J.A.; Mörgelin, M.; Sonesson, A.
• Is Part Of: British journal of dermatology. Volume 177:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 513
• Page End: 521
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.15410
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-0963

Abstract

Summary: Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by an increased susceptibility to skin infections. Staphylococcus aureus is reported to dominate in AD lesions and reports have revealed the presence of staphylococcal biofilms. These infections contribute to aggravation of the eczema. Sodium hypochlorite is known to reduce bacterial load of skin lesions, as well as disease severity, in patients with AD, but the effect on biofilms is unknown. Objectives: To investigate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of sodium hypochlorite against S. aureus isolates derived from patients with AD. Methods: Skin biopsies derived from patients with infected AD were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using radial diffusion assays, biofilm assays and confocal laser scanning microscopy, we assessed the effect of sodium hypochlorite on S. aureus isolates derived from lesional skin of patients with AD. Results: SEM revealed clusters of coccoid bacteria embedded in fibrin and extracellular substances at the skin of a patient with infected AD. At concentrations of 0·01–0·08%, sodium hypochlorite showed antibacterial effects against planktonic cells. Eradication of S. aureus biofilms in vitro was observed in concentrations ranging from 0·01% to 0·16%. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed these results. Finally, when human AD skin was subjected to sodium hypochlorite in an ex vivo model, a dose of 0·04% reduced the bacteria derived from AD skin. Conclusions: Sodium hypochlorite has antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects against clinical S. aureus isolates. Our findings suggest usage of a higher concentration than currently used in bleach baths of patients with skin‐infected AD. Abstract : What's already known about this topic? The association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and Staphylococcus aureus carriage is well established, and increasing attention has been given to the presence and impact of S. aureus biofilms in AD. Bleach baths are a commonly used treatment of infected AD; however, the effect of this treatment on biofilms formed by isolates from patients with AD is sparsely investigated. What does this study add? This study revealed biofilm at the skin surface of a patient with infected AD. The current results show that sodium hypochlorite has both inhibitory effects on biofilm formation and the capacity to eradicate established biofilms of S. aureus isolates derived from the skin of patients with AD. Respond to this article Linked Comment: Harris and Smith. Br J Dermatol 2017;177 :347–348 Plain language summary available online