Prevention of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation using electrical current

Some of the most refractory modern bacterial diseases are those associated with medical devices in which the asso-ciated microorganisms grow in well-developed, adherent biofilms. Bacteria in biofilms exhibit dramatically reduced susceptibility to antimicrobial agents as compared to their planktonic forms (1, 2). Given the failure of conventional antimicrobics in the management of most biofilm-associ-ated infections, novel and innovative preventive approach-es are warranted (3, 4). The development of biofilm-related infections begins with the adhesion of the microorganism to a surface, mediated by Van der Waals forces, acid base interactions, and electrostatic forces. The electrostatic force between bacteria and the biomaterial is generally repulsive since most biomaterial surfaces and bacterial cells are negatively charged (5). It has been proposed that repulsive forces may be enhanced by the application of electric current, provoking surface detachment of bacte-rial biofilms (6). Such electrical current exposure could be suitable for inhibiting biofilm-associated infection.We have previously demonstrated that