INHIBITORY EFFECT OF THYMOL EXTRACTS ON ENTEROTOXINS PRODUCTION BY Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract

One hundred and eighty five urine samples were collected eight isolates (4.3%) were obtained and diagnosed as Staphylococcus aureus. Among 8 isolates, 5 (62.5%) S. aureus isolates were found to be enterotoxigenic, most of isolates produced at least two types of Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs). The production of enterotoxins in the presence or absence of Thymol extracts (aqueous and alcoholic) were estimated using a reversed passive latex agglutination (SET-RPLA) kit. The extracts reduced enterotoxin production compared with the control. Enterotoxin inhibition was observed for enterotoxin C production at minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) at 400 µg/ml, whereas production of enterotoxins A, B, and D were totally eliminated at (MIC) 800 µg/ml. The results show that the aqueous and alcoholic extracts from the leaves of Thymol decreased the production of SEs by S. aureus.