The Effect of Thymus vulgaris Extracts on Enterotoxins (A-D) Production by Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Urinary Tract Infection

Abstract

One hundred and eighty five urine samples were collected eight isolates (4.3%) were obtained and diagnosed as Staphylococcus aureus. The identification of all S. aureus isolates was confirmed by conventional biochemical tests. Among 8 isolates, 5 (62.5%) S. aureus isolates were found to be enterotoxigenic . Approximately most of isolates produced at least two types of staphylococcal enterotoxins ( SEs). These enterotoxins may be important in the physiopathology of urinary tract infection . The production of staphylococcal enterotoxins (A– D) in the presence or absence of Thymus vulgaris the crude extracts (aqueous and alcoholic ) were was estimated in microtiter plates using a reversed passive latex agglutination (SET RPLA) kit . The extracts reduced enterotoxin production at subminimal inhibitory concentrations compared with the control. At 400 µg/ml , total enterotoxin inhibition was observed for enterotoxin C production, whereas production of enterotoxins A, B, and D were totally eliminated at 800 µg/ml . The results show that the aqueous and alcoholic extracts from the leaves of T. vulgaris significantly decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, the production of SEA, SEB,SEC and SED by S. aureus .