Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activities of the Agents Used for Sedation in Intensive Care Unit In Vitro Method

Abstract

Objective Sedation in the intensive care unit is used for the treatment of anxiety and agitation. This study aims to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of propofol, ketamine, thiopental, dexmedetomidine and midazolam doses used in practice for sedation purposes in the intensive care unit. Material and Methods In vitro antimicrobial activities of intravenous sedative agents were investigated by using the microdilution technique. Microorganisms used in the test were as follows: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (ATCC 911), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Bacillus cereus 709 ROMA, Mycobacterium smegmatis (ATCC 607), Candida albicans (ATCC 60193), Candida tropicalis (ATCC 13803) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae RSKK 251. Antibacterial experiments were performed in Mueller-Hinton Broth with a pH of 7.3, and antifungal analyses were carried out in buffered Yeast Nitrogen Base with a pH of 7.0. Results Only the preparation with ketamine showed antimicrobial activity, whereas no antimicrobial activity was detected in the preparations with the other agents. Conclusion Ketamine has antimicrobial activity in vitro on microorganisms frequently seen in the intensive care unit practice. However, there is a need for in vivo studies to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of ketamine in clinical use, its potential contribution to antibiotic therapy, and how well it can eliminate intensive care unit infections or benefit the patients with sepsis.