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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Carlo Leifert
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Aims: Nitric oxide is generated from sweat nitrite in the acidic environment of the skin surface and is thought to contribute to protection against infection. This study examined the sensitivity of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Candida albicans, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes to acidified nitrite. Methods and Results: Organisms were cultured in varying concentrations of nitrite and pH for different lengths of time, before being transferred to recovery medium. With the exception of Strep. pyogenes, addition of nitrite increased the antimicrobial activity of acid solutions against all organisms tested. The rank order of sensitivity was: C. albicans < T. rubrum < T. mentagrophytes < Staph. aureus < P. acnes, with P. acnes being most sensitive. Conclusions: This work has shown that acidified nitrite is microbiocidal to common cutaneous pathogens. The concentrations of nitrite required to kill pathogenic fungi and bacteria in in vitro assays were higher than the concentrations of nitrite measured in sweat. However, additional co-factors in vivo and in sweat may potentiate the effect of acidified nitrite. Significance and impact of the Study: Pharmacological preparations of acidified nitrite are novel antimicrobial agents. These data suggest skin organisms which may be sensitive to this treatment.
Author(s): Weller R, Price RJ, Ormerod AD, Benjamin N, Leifert C
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Applied Microbiology
Year: 2001
Volume: 90
Issue: 4
Pages: 648-652
ISSN (print): 1364-5072
ISSN (electronic): 1365-2672
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2672.2001.01291.x
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2001.01291.x
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