Activity of Crystal Violet and Albert Stains against Escherichia coli

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli (E. coli) developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, making them difficult to treat with standard therapies. Hence, using alternative strategies such as dyes to treat E. coli is urgent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: E. coli was isolated from the urinary tract by culturing urine specimens in three media (blood agar, MacConkey agar, and eosin methylene blue agar). The well diffusion method was used to evaluate the activity of crystal violet (CV) and Albert stains as well as disc diffusion method after overnight incubation for antibiotic sensitivity test of gentamicin and ciprofloxacin as control agents; the diameter of the inhibited growth is measured in millimeter. All the statistical analysis was done using SPSS 26 software. RESULTS: Out of the 20 participants in the study, 70% were women, while 30% were males. Both CV and gentamicin revealed 90% activity against isolates, while Albert stain reagents 1 and 2 showed 65% and 55% activity against isolated E. coli, respectively. Ciprofloxacin was sensitive in 65% of isolates. The mean of CV 19 ± 7.5 mm was more active than gentamicin 15.56 ± 6.72 mm significantly (P = 0.04). No significant differences in activity of both ciprofloxacin and CV was detected (P = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Both CV and Albert stains have antibacterial activity against E. coli that may be developed in clinical use.