Skip to main content

Carbon dioxide inhibits the growth rate of Staphylococcus aureus at body temperature

Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques volume 19, pages 91–94 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Since the 1930s, carbon dioxide (CO2) has been combined with cold storage for the preservation of food. However, its use for the prevention of surgical wound infection was long considered to be impractical. Now CO2 is widely used during laparoscopic procedures, and a method has been developed to create a CO2 atmosphere in an open wound. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CO2 on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus at body temperature.

Methods

First, S. aureus inoculated on blood agar were exposed to pure CO2 (100%), standard anaerobic gas (5% CO2, 10% hydrogen, 85% nitrogen), or air at 37°C for a period of 24 h; then a viable count of the bacteria was made. Second, S. aureus inoculated in brain–heart infusion broth and kept at 37°C were exposed to CO2 or air for 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h; then the optical density of the bacteria was measured.

Results

After 24 h, the number of S. aureus on blood agar was about 100 times lower in CO2 than in anaerobic gas (p = 0.001) and about 1,000 times lower than in air (p = 0.001). Also, in broth, there were fewer bacteria with CO2 than with air (p < 0.01). After 2 h, the number of bacteria was increased with air (p < 0.001) but not with CO2 (p = 0.13). After 8 h, the optical density had increased from zero to 1.2 with air but it had increased only to 0.01 with CO2 (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Pure CO2 significantly decreased the growth rate of S. aureus at body temperature. The inhibitory effect of CO2 increased exponentially with time. Its bacteriostatic effect may help to explain the low infection rates in patients who undergo laparoscopic procedures.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Figure 1
Figure 2

References

  1. M Braga A Vignali L Gianotti W Zuliani G Radaelli P Gruarin P Dellabona et al. (2002) ArticleTitleLaparoscopic versus open colorectal surgery: a randomized trial on short-term outcome Ann Surg 236 759–766 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00000658-200212000-00008 Occurrence Handle12454514

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. JP Burke (1961) ArticleTitleThe effective period of preventive antibiotic action in experimental incisions and dermal lesions Surgery 50 161–168

    Google Scholar 

  3. DC Classen RS Evans SL Pestotnik SD Horn RL Menlove JP Burke (1992) ArticleTitleThe timing of prophylactic administration of antibiotics and the risk of surgical-wound infection N Engl J Med 326 281–286 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By2C3c%2FhsVQ%3D Occurrence Handle1728731

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. FP Coyne (1933) ArticleTitleThe effect of carbon dioxide on bacterial growth Roy Soc Proc 113 196–217

    Google Scholar 

  5. NM Dixon DB Kell (1989) ArticleTitleThe inhibition by CO2 of the growth and metabolism of micro-organisms J Appl Bacteriol 67 109–136 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXmtFensro%3D Occurrence Handle2509409

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. K Draper R Jefson R Jongeward SuffixJr M McLeod (1997) ArticleTitleDuration of postlaparoscopic pneumoperitoneum Surg Endosc 11 809–811 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004649900459 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiH3M7ntVE%3D Occurrence Handle9266640

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. SO Enfors G Molin (1978) ArticleTitleThe influence of high concentrations of carbon dioxide on the germination of bacterial spores J Appl Bacteriol 45 279–285 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE1MXjs1Wnuw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle31348

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. SO Enfors G Molin (1980) ArticleTitleEffect of high concentrations of carbon dioxide on growth rate of Pseudomonas fragi, Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus cremoris J Appl Bacteriol 48 409–416 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3cXltVyns7s%3D Occurrence Handle6773917

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. SO Enfors G Molin A Ternstrom (1979) ArticleTitleEffect of packaging under carbon dioxide, nitrogen or air on the microbial flora of pork stored at 4 degrees C J Appl Bacteriol 47 197–208 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:Bi%2BC2MbmtlU%3D Occurrence Handle120356

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. EJ Hanly M Mendoza-Sagaon K Murata JM Hardacre A Maio ParticleDe MA Talamini (2003) ArticleTitleCO2 pneumoperitoneum modifies the inflammatory response to sepsis Ann Surg 237 343–350 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00000658-200303000-00007 Occurrence Handle12616117

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. MA Mitz (1979) ArticleTitleCO2 biodynamics: a new concept of cellular control J Theor Biol 80 537–551 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3cXhslKjsw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle120472

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. G Molin (1983) ArticleTitleThe resistance to carbon dioxide of some food-related bacteria Eur J Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 18 214–217

    Google Scholar 

  13. M Persson J van der Linden Particlevan der (2003) ArticleTitleDe-airing of a cardiothoracic wound cavity model with carbon dioxide: theory and comparison of a gas diffuser with conventional tubes J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 17 329–335 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S1053-0770(03)00050-8 Occurrence Handle12827581

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. M Persson P Svenarud J van der Linden Particlevan der (2004) ArticleTitleWhat is the optimal device for carbon dioxide de-airing of the cardiothoracic wound and how should it be positioned? J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 18 180–184 Occurrence Handle10.1053/j.jvca.2004.01.024 Occurrence Handle15073708

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. C Richards J Edwards D Culver TG Emori J Tolson R Gaynes (2003) ArticleTitleDoes using a laparoscopic approach to cholecystectomy decrease the risk of surgical site infection? Ann Surg 237 358–362 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00000658-200303000-00009 Occurrence Handle12616119

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. P Svenarud M Persson J van der Linden Particlevan der (2003) ArticleTitleEfficiency of a gas-diffuser and influence of suction in carbon dioxide de-airing of a cardiothoracic wound cavity model J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 125 1043–1049 Occurrence Handle10.1067/mtc.2003.50 Occurrence Handle12771877

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. P Svenarud M Persson J van der Linden Particlevan der (2003) ArticleTitleIntermittent or continuous carbon dioxide insufflation for de-airing of the cardiothoracic wound cavity? An experimental study with a new gas-diffuser Anesth Analg 96 321–327 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00000539-200302000-00005 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXhsFyhtLc%3D Occurrence Handle12538172

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. P Svenarud M Persson J van der Linden Particlevan der (2004) ArticleTitleThe effect of CO2 insufflation on the number and behavior of air microemboli in open-heart surgery Circulation 109 1127–1132

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Karolinska Institute and Cardia Innovation AB, Stockholm, Sweden. M.P. P.S. and J.v.d.L. are shareholders of Cardia Innovation AB, the company that produces the gas diffuser and owns the patents. We thank Professor Emeritus Willem van der Linden for his help with the preparation of the manuscript. We are also grateful to technicians Ingegerd Löfving Arvholm and Ann-Chatrin Palmgren of the Division of Clinical Bacteriology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, for their assistance in the lab.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Medical Engineering, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden

    M. Persson & P. Svenarud

  2. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Anesthesiology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    J. van der Linden

  3. Division of Clinical Bacteriology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden

    J.-I. Flock

Authors
  1. M. Persson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Svenarud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J.-I. Flock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. van der Linden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. van der Linden.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Persson, M., Svenarud, P., Flock, JI. et al. Carbon dioxide inhibits the growth rate of Staphylococcus aureus at body temperature. Surg Endosc 19, 91–94 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-003-9334-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-003-9334-z

Keywords

  • Surgery
  • Laparoscopy
  • Wound infection
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Bacteriostatic effect