Alteration of organized structure of biofilm formed by Staphylococcus epidermidison soft contact lenses

The effect of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug commercially available in eye drop form sodium diclofenac was assayed for its ability to affect biofilms formed by clinical Staphylococcus epidermidisisolates. Biofilms produced by one strain positive for a slimeassociated antigen, suggested to be expressed by more virulent strains, was not affected by sodium diclofenac treatment. On the other hand, biofilm produced by the slimepositive, antigennegative strain showed dramatic alterations already after short treatments with sodium diclofenac as reported for salicylate and other nonsteroidal drugs. Such results suggest further investigation of the possible use of sodium diclofenac drops in the treatment of ophthalmic infections in soft contact lens wearers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 49, 53–57, 2000.