Influence of Probiotic Culture Supernatants on In Vitro Biofilm Formation of Staphylococci.

BACKGROUND

The effects of cell-free culture supernatants of probiotic GG and K12 on replication and biofilm forming and were assessed in vitro.

METHODS

and strains were exposed to cell-free culture supernatants of GG and K12 at different concentrations starting at 0, 4, and 24 h after the onset of incubation. Bacterial amplification was measured on microplate readers, as well as biofilm growth after safranine staining. Scanning electron microscopy was performed for visualization of biofilm status.

RESULTS

The K12 culture supernatant not only reduced or prevented the formation and maturation of fresh biofilms but even caused a reduction of preformed biofilms. The GG culture supernatant did not show clear inhibitory effects regardless of concentration or time of addition of supernatant, and even concentration-depending promotional effects on the planktonic and biofilm growth of and were observed.

CONCLUSION

In particular, the inhibitory effects of the K12 culture supernatant on the formation of staphylococcal biofilms are of potential relevance for biofilm-associated diseases and should be further assessed by in vivo infection models.