1. Does Vicks VapoRub Affect Staphylococcus epidermidis Survivorship?
Robert McKinstry
Central Catholic High School

2. Staphylococcus epidermidis Infections
Staphylococcus epidermidis infections are associated with intravascular devices such as prosthetic heart valves, shunts, prosthetic joints, and catheters.
Catheter infections lead to serious inflammation and septicemia.
Can also cause endocarditis

3. S. epidermidis Virulence and Treatment
S. epidermidis produces slime layers which form a hydrophobic biofilm.
The biofilm acts as a diffusion barrier to antibiotics and host defenses.
S. epidermidis commonly found on the skin may be resistant to several commonly used antibiotics.
These antibiotics include penicillin, amoxicillin, and methicillin.

4. Staphylococcus epidermidis
Gram (+) bacteria, coagulase-negative cocci, that is part of normal flora
Opportunistic pathogen
Leading pathogen of nosocomial infections
Produces a glycocalyx “slime” that acts as a glue which adheres the bacteria to plastics and cells and contributes to antibiotic resistance.

5. Vicks VapoRub
Is used to relieve chest or throat congestion
Is used to alleviate sore muscles
Has some antibacterial properties
Has and is being used to treat toenail and fingernail fungal infections.

6. Vicks VapoRub Ingredients
Active Ingredients:
camphor 4.8% (cough suppressant and topical analgesic), eucalyptol 1.2% (cough suppressant), menthol 2.6% (cough suppressant and topical analgesic)
Inactive ingredients:
cedarleaf oil, nutmeg oil, petrolatum, thymol, and turpentine oil

7. Purpose
To determine if Vick’s VapoRub has an effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis survivorship in vitro.

8. Hypotheses
Null hypothesis: Vicks VapoRub does not affect Staphylococcus epidermidis survivorship in vitro.
Alternative hypothesis: Vicks VapoRub does affect Staphylococcus epidermidis survivorship in vitro.

9. Materials Vicks VapoRub Labeling tape Ethanol Latex gloves
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Micropipettes
Ten micro tubes
LB media (0.5% yeast extract, 1% tryptone, 1% sodium chloride).
Permanent marker
Liquid ampicillin
Sterile Dilution Fluid (100mM KH2PO4, 100mM K2HPO4, 10mM MgSO4, 1mM NaCl)
Turntable
80 Luria Broth agar plates
Bunsen burner
Spread bar
Incubator
Klett Spectrophotometer
Matches

10. Concentrations of VapoRub on S. epidermidis
Infusion(5g/1L)
Infusion (1g/1L)
Surface contact (Spread)
Surface Contact (Liquid) [1/10] 0%
Type of Procedure
Infused Directly into LB Agar
Infused directly into LB Agar
Melted and plated
Spread on Top
Control
Limitations
Margin of error in concentration
Irregular surface exposure
May have blocked cell access to LB
N/A
Number of Replicates 9 5

11. Variables N.R. = nonresistant Number of Replicates R. = resistant
N.R. Strain on LB
(control) 9
R. Strain on LB
(positive control)
N.R. Strain on
VapoRub/LB Agar
R. Strain on

12. Nonresistant Staph. Response to VapoRub
P = 8.24E-7 (Significant)
P > .05
P > .05
P > .05
P > .05
Method of Application

13. Ampicillin Resistant Staph. Response to VapoRub
P = 0.53 (Insignificant)
P = .003 (Significant)

14. Conclusions
Vicks VapoRub did not significantly affect the survivorship of non-ampicillin resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis.
The null hypothesis was accepted.
Ampicillin resistance itself did not significantly improve Staphylococcus epidermidis survivorship in LB media.
Staphylococcus epidermidis treated with Vicks VapoRub had significantly improved survivorship when made Ampicillin resistant.

15. Limitations, Extensions, and Future Studies
The Staphylococcus epidermitis plating was not exactly synchronized, possibly contributing to varying colony counts.
A larger sample size may have indicated significance.
Infusion was the only reliable method of exposing Staphylococcus epidermidis to Vicks VapoRub.
Extensions and Future Studies
Larger sample sizes will be employed in the next round of testing.
Infusion only will be used.
Thymol could be used in place of Vicks VapoRub, because literature sources suggest that thymol is ingredient in VapoRub that kills toenail fungus.