Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14 inhibits Staphylococcus aureus infection of surgical implants in rats

Authors

Siang Gan Bing, Hand and Upper Limb Centre
Juan Kim, Hand and Upper Limb Centre
Gregor Reid, Lawson Health Research Institute
Peter Cadieux, Lawson Health Research Institute
Jeffrey C. Howard, Hand and Upper Limb Centre

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2002

Journal

Journal of Infectious Diseases

Volume

185

Issue

9

First Page

1369

Last Page

1372

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1086/340126

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of community and hospital-acquired infections. Moreover, the clinical impact of S. aureus is on the rise because of the global increase in the incidence of muitidrug-resistant strains and its growing prevalence as a major cause of surgical infections. As a result, there is a pressing need to identify new antistaphylococcal agents and preventative strategies that will help in the management of these types of infections. This report describes the successful use of a probiotic, Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14, and its secreted biosurfactant to inhibit surgical implant infections caused by S. aureus. L. fermentum RC-14 and its secreted biosurfactant both significantly inhibited S. aureus infection and bacteria adherence to surgical implants. © 2002 Infectious Diseases Society of America.