Calcium sulphate mixed with antibiotics does not decrease efficacy against Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes), in vitro study

Anne Couture; Valéry Lavergne; Emilie Sandman; Jean-Michel Leduc; Benoit Benoit; Stéphane Leduc; Dominique M Rouleau

doi:10.1016/j.jor.2019.11.028

Calcium sulphate mixed with antibiotics does not decrease efficacy against Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes), in vitro study

J Orthop. 2019 Nov 28:19:138-142. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2019.11.028. eCollection 2020 May-Jun.

Authors

Anne Couture¹, Valéry Lavergne^{1

2}, Emilie Sandman^{1

2}, Jean-Michel Leduc^{1

2}, Benoit Benoit^{1

2}, Stéphane Leduc^{1

2}, Dominique M Rouleau^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Université de Montréal, 2900 Boul., Edouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
² Hôpital Du Sacré-Cœur, Montréal, 5400 Boul. Gouin Ouest, Montreal, QC, H4J 1C5, Canada.

Abstract

Background: This study explored the in vitro efficacy of antibiotics mixed with calcium sulfate (ACS) against Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes).

Methods: C. acnes isolates from orthopaedic infection sites were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility with ACS. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined with a gradient diffusion method (Etest® strips).

Results: When tested with Etest®, all 22 isolates were susceptible to penicillin, ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and two were resistant to clindamycin (MICs of 4 and 8 mg/L). Penicillin and rifampin had the largest inhibition zone diameters.

Conclusions: Antibiotics retained activity against C. acnes when mixed with calcium sulfate.

Keywords: AST, antimicrobial susceptibility testing; Antibiotics; Antimicrobial susceptibility testing; C. acnes, Cutibacterium acnes; Calcium sulfate; Cutibacterium acnes; EUCAST, The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing; KB, Kirby-Bauer; MIC, minimal inhibitory concentration; Propionibacterium acnes; Stimulan®.