ENCAPSULATION OF VANCOMYCIN AND GENTAMICIN WITHIN CATIONIC LIPOSOMES FOR INHIBITION OF GROWTH OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-EPIDERMIDIS

Liposomes have been prepared from dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC ), cholesterol (Chol) and dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB). The cationic vesicles adsorb to biofilms of the skin-associated bacter ia Staphylococcus epidermidis, which have a negative charge. Encapsula tion of the antibacterial drug vancomycin into such liposomes enhanced its activity relative to the free agent. The effectiveness of the pre paration was dependent on the fluidity of the liposomal membrane and o n the level of drug entrapment within the aqueous core of the vesicles . The aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin was also encapsulated withi n similar liposomes but was less effective, possibly due to its slow p assage through the membrane. The Liposomal vancomycin preparation has potential medical use in treating bacterial infections of foreign body biomedical devices (e.g. catheters), with either topical or intraveno us administration.