Synergistic antibiotic activity against planktonic and biofilm-embedded Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus oralis

Abstract

This study shows that the combination of gentamicin with either benzylpenicillin or rifampicin exerts a synergistic effect against biofilms produced by the tested streptococci strains in vitro. Our results also suggest that coupling a dispersal agent with conventional antibiotics may facilitate their access to the bacteria within the biofilm. In vivo and clinical studies are needed in order to confirm whether such a strategy may be effective in the treatment of implant-associated infections caused by streptococci.