LAUSR

Polymicrobial biofilms with fungi and bacteria are the leading cause for the failure of medical devices and related infections. In this study, antibiofilm activities of carboxymethyl chitosan (CM-chitosan) on monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida tropicalis in vitro were evaluated. CM-chitosan was effective as a sole agent, inhibiting both monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilms in microplates and also on the silicone surface in short- and long-term periods. Biofilm architecture was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to examine living/dead organisms within biofilm. CM-chitosan inhibited planktonic growth as well as adhesion. Further biofilm formation was inhibited by CM-chitosan added at 90min or 12h after biofilm initiation. CM-chitosan may serve as a possible antibiofilm agent to limit monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilm.