In vitro bactericidal activity of equine platelet concentrates, platelet poor plasma, and plasma against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

The aims of the study were 1) to evaluate the antibacterial effect of equine platelet concentrates (ePCs) (either activated or not with calcium gluconate (CG)) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and 2) to compare their antibacterial effect with activated platelet poor plasma (PPP) and plasma (P). Blood products were allotted in 4 groups (ePC, ePC/CG, PPP/CG, and P) plus a positive control group (PCG) and a negative control group, and mixed with MRSA and Mueller-Hinton broth. Samples were incubated during 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h, and colony-forming units were counted. The bacterial growth was significantly (P = 0.01) inhibited by the ePC, ePC/CG, PPP/CG and P in comparison with the PCG during the first 12 h. At 24h only a statistically significant (P = 0.01) antibacterial effect was noticed for the ePC, ePC/ CG and PPP/CG in comparison with the PCG and P. Equine PCs and PPP provided the best in vitro antibacterial effect against MRSA.