Summary
Background:
Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is usually present in atopic dry skin, and not only in regions seriously affected
by atopic dermatitis. SA discharges various toxins and enzymes that injure the skin,
and forms a biofilm from fibrin fiber and glycocalyx; the biofilm is important for
adhesion of SA to the skin and for resistance to anti-microbial agents. Even highly
effective moisturizers do not work perfectly on atopic dry skin. Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) is a major constituent of skin microflora on healthy human skin, and provides
protection against the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
Objectives:
Since treatment with anti-microbials may lead to re-growth of SA, which grows faster
than other Staphylococci and often shows antibiotic resistance, we searched for novel approaches to control
the skin-microfloral balance without using conventional anti-microbials.
Method:
Biofilm formation by SA in vitro was observed in detail using scanning electron microscopy.
Approximately 500 substances were screened for a selective effect on SA growth and
SA biofilm.
Results:
We found that xylitol inhibited the formation of glycocalyx, and farnesol dissolved
fibrin fibers. Farnesol suppressed the growth of only SA, and did not affect that
of SE. Xylitol and farnesol synergistically inhibited biofilm formation by SA.
Conclusion:
Xylitol and farnesol have potential for controlling the skin-microfloral balance because
of their selective effects and inhibition of biofilm formation. They might provide
a useful and safe method to care for skin colonized by SA, without using antibiotics.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
January 21,
2005
Received in revised form:
January 18,
2005
Received:
November 12,
2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ScienceDirect
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- A novel method to control the balance of skin microflora: Part 2. A study to assess the effect of a cream containing farnesol and xylitol on atopic dry skinJournal of Dermatological ScienceVol. 38Issue 3
- PreviewIt is recognized that colonization by Staphylococcus aureus (SA) on the skin is one of the factors that can worsen atopic dermatitis (AD). Antibiotics and germicides are not the best choice to remove bacteria from the skin of AD patients, because of problems of irritation to the skin and bacterial resistance. We therefore turned our attention to the biofilm of SA with the aim of removing only SA from the skin surface of AD patients. We found that xylitol (X) and farnesol (F) synergistically inhibited biofilm formation by SA and dissolved biofilm formed in vivo (Part 1).
- Full-Text
- Preview
- Corrigendum to “A novel method to control the balance of skin microflora: Part 1. Attack on biofilm of without antibiotics” [J. Dermatol. Sci. 38 (2005) 197–205]Journal of Dermatological ScienceVol. 39Issue 3
