scholarly journals Synergistic Effect of Membrane-Active Peptides Polymyxin B and Gramicidin S on Multidrug-Resistant Strains and Biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 5288-5296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Berditsch ◽  
Thomas Jäger ◽  
Nikola Strempel ◽  
Thomas Schwartz ◽  
Jörg Overhage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Synergistic Effect ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Biofilm Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Active Peptides ◽  
Gramicidin S ◽  
Membrane Active Peptides

ABSTRACTMultidrug-resistantPseudomonas aeruginosais a major cause of severe hospital-acquired infections. Currently, polymyxin B (PMB) is a last-resort antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, despite its undesirable side effects. The delivery of drug combinations has been shown to reduce the required therapeutic doses of antibacterial agents and thereby their toxicity if a synergistic effect is present. In this study, we investigated the synergy between two cyclic antimicrobial peptides, PMB and gramicidin S (GS), against differentP. aeruginosaisolates, using a quantitative checkerboard assay with resazurin as a growth indicator. Among the 28 strains that we studied, 20 strains showed a distinct synergistic effect, represented by a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of ≤0.5. Remarkably, several clinicalP. aeruginosaisolates that grew as small-colony variants revealed a nonsynergistic effect, as indicated by FICIs between >0.5 and ≤0.70. In addition to inhibiting the growth of planktonic bacteria, the peptide combinations significantly decreased static biofilm growth compared with treatment with the individual peptides. There was also a faster and more prolonged effect when the combination of PMB and GS was used compared with single-peptide treatments on the metabolic activity of pregrown biofilms. The results of the present study define a synergistic interaction between two cyclic membrane-active peptides toward 17 multidrug-resistantP. aeruginosaand biofilms ofP. aeruginosastrain PAO1. Thus, the application of PMB and GS in combination is a promising option for a topical medication and in the prevention of acute and chronic infections caused by multidrug-resistant or biofilm-formingP. aeruginosa.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Antibiotic Combinations against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Automated Time-Lapse Microscopy and Static Time-Kill Experiments

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Olsson ◽  
Pikkei Wistrand-Yuen ◽  
Elisabet I. Nielsen ◽  
Lena E. Friberg ◽  
Linus Sandegren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time Lapse Microscopy ◽  
Time Kill ◽  
Antibiotic Combination

ABSTRACT Antibiotic combination therapy is used for severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, yet data regarding which combinations are most effective are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of polymyxin B in combination with 13 other antibiotics against four clinical strains of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We evaluated the interactions of polymyxin B in combination with amikacin, aztreonam, cefepime, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin, linezolid, meropenem, minocycline, rifampin, temocillin, thiamphenicol, or trimethoprim by automated time-lapse microscopy using predefined cutoff values indicating inhibition of growth (≤106 CFU/ml) at 24 h. Promising combinations were subsequently evaluated in static time-kill experiments. All strains were intermediate or resistant to polymyxin B, antipseudomonal β-lactams, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin. Genes encoding β-lactamases (e.g., blaPAO and blaOXA-50) and mutations associated with permeability and efflux were detected in all strains. In the time-lapse microscopy experiments, positive interactions were found with 39 of 52 antibiotic combination/bacterial strain setups. Enhanced activity was found against all four strains with polymyxin B used in combination with aztreonam, cefepime, fosfomycin, minocycline, thiamphenicol, and trimethoprim. Time-kill experiments showed additive or synergistic activity with 27 of the 39 tested polymyxin B combinations, most frequently with aztreonam, cefepime, and meropenem. Positive interactions were frequently found with the tested combinations, against strains that harbored several resistance mechanisms to the single drugs, and with antibiotics that are normally not active against P. aeruginosa. Further study is needed to explore the clinical utility of these combinations.

scholarly journals Adaptive and Mutational Responses to Peptide Dendrimer Antimicrobials in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Ben Jeddou ◽  
Léna Falconnet ◽  
Alexandre Luscher ◽  
Thissa Siriwardena ◽  
Jean-Louis Reymond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Sensor Kinase ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Kinase Gene ◽  
Polyamine Biosynthesis ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT Colistin (polymyxin E) is a last-resort antibiotic against multidrug-resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the nephro-toxicity of colistin limits its use, spurring the interest in novel antimicrobial peptides (AMP). Here, we show that the synthetic AMP-dendrimer G3KL (MW 4,531.38 Da, 15 positive charges, MIC = 8 mg/liter) showed faster killing than polymyxin B (Pmx-B) with no detectable resistance selection in P. aeruginosa strain PA14. Spontaneous mutants selected on Pmx-B, harboring loss of function mutations in the PhoQ sensor kinase gene, showed increased Pmx-B MICs and arnB operon expression (4-amino-l-arabinose addition to lipid A), but remained susceptible to dendrimers. Two mutants carrying a missense mutation in the periplasmic loop of the PmrB sensor kinase showed increased MICs for Pmx-B (8-fold) and G3KL (4-fold) but not for the dendrimer T7 (MW 4,885.64 Da, 16 positive charges, MIC = 8 mg/liter). The pmrB mutants showed increased expression of the arnB operon as well as of the speD2-speE2-PA4775 operon, located upstream of pmrAB, and involved in polyamine biosynthesis. Exogenous supplementation with the polyamines spermine and norspermine increased G3KL and T7 MICs in a phoQ mutant background but not in the PA14 wild type. This suggests that both addition of 4-amino-l-arabinose and secretion of polyamines are required to reduce susceptibility to dendrimers, probably neutralizing the negative charges present on the lipid A and the 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid (KDO) sugars of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), respectively. We further show by transcriptome analysis that the dendrimers G3KL and T7 induce adaptive responses through the CprRS two-component system in PA14.

scholarly journals Comparative Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Reveal Multiple Pathways Associated with Polymyxin Killing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

mSystems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Ling Han ◽  
Yan Zhu ◽  
Darren J. Creek ◽  
Yu-Wei Lin ◽  
Alina D. Gutu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Central Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comparative Metabolomics

ABSTRACT Polymyxins are a last-line therapy against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however, resistance to polymyxins has been increasingly reported. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of polymyxin activity and resistance is crucial for preserving their clinical usefulness. This study employed comparative metabolomics and transcriptomics to investigate the responses of polymyxin-susceptible P. aeruginosa PAK (polymyxin B MIC, 1 mg/liter) and its polymyxin-resistant pmrB mutant PAKpmrB6 (MIC, 16 mg/liter) to polymyxin B (4, 8, and 128 mg/liter) at 1, 4, and 24 h, respectively. Our results revealed that polymyxin B at 4 mg/liter induced different metabolic and transcriptomic responses between polymyxin-susceptible and -resistant P. aeruginosa. In strain PAK, polymyxin B significantly activated PmrAB and the mediated arn operon, leading to increased 4-amino-4-deoxy-L-arabinose (L-Ara4N) synthesis and the addition to lipid A. In contrast, polymyxin B did not increase lipid A modification in strain PAKpmrB6. Moreover, the syntheses of lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan were significantly decreased in strain PAK but increased in strain PAKpmrB6 due to polymyxin B treatment. In addition, 4 mg/liter polymyxin B significantly perturbed phospholipid and fatty acid levels and induced oxidative stress in strain PAK, but not in PAKpmrB6. Notably, the increased trehalose-6-phosphate levels indicate that polymyxin B potentially caused osmotic imbalance in both strains. Furthermore, 8 and 128 mg/liter polymyxin B significantly elevated lipoamino acid levels and decreased phospholipid levels but without dramatic changes in lipid A modification in wild-type and mutant strains, respectively. Overall, this systems study is the first to elucidate the complex and dynamic interactions of multiple cellular pathways associated with the polymyxin mode of action against P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been highlighted by the recent WHO Global Priority Pathogen List due to multidrug resistance. Without new antibiotics, polymyxins remain a last-line therapeutic option for this difficult-to-treat pathogen. The emergence of polymyxin resistance highlights the growing threat to our already very limited antibiotic armamentarium and the urgency to understand the exact mechanisms of polymyxin activity and resistance. Integration of the correlative metabolomics and transcriptomics results in the present study discovered that polymyxin treatment caused significant perturbations in the biosynthesis of lipids, lipopolysaccharide, and peptidoglycan, central carbon metabolism, and oxidative stress. Importantly, lipid A modifications were surprisingly rapid in response to polymyxin treatment at clinically relevant concentrations. This is the first study to reveal the dynamics of polymyxin-induced cellular responses at the systems level, which highlights that combination therapy should be considered to minimize resistance to the last-line polymyxins. The results also provide much-needed mechanistic information which potentially benefits the discovery of new-generation polymyxins.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Peptide-Conjugated Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Howard ◽  
Carolyn R. Sturge ◽  
Dina A. Moustafa ◽  
Seth M. Daly ◽  
Kimberly R. Marshall-Batty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Essential Genes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly virulent, multidrug-resistant pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and is particularly devastating in patients with cystic fibrosis. Increasing antibiotic resistance coupled with decreasing numbers of antibiotics in the developmental pipeline demands novel antibacterial approaches. Here, we tested peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs), which inhibit translation of complementary mRNA from specific, essential genes in P. aeruginosa. PPMOs targeted to acpP, lpxC, and rpsJ, inhibited P. aeruginosa growth in many clinical strains and activity of PPMOs could be enhanced 2- to 8-fold by the addition of polymyxin B nonapeptide at subinhibitory concentrations. The PPMO targeting acpP was also effective at preventing P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm formation and at reducing existing biofilms. Importantly, treatment with various combinations of a PPMO and a traditional antibiotic demonstrated synergistic growth inhibition, the most effective of which was the PPMO targeting rpsJ with tobramycin. Furthermore, treatment of P. aeruginosa PA103-infected mice with PPMOs targeting acpP, lpxC, or rpsJ significantly reduced the bacterial burden in the lungs at 24 h by almost 3 logs. Altogether, this study demonstrates that PPMOs targeting the essential genes acpP, lpxC, or rpsJ in P. aeruginosa are highly effective at inhibiting growth in vitro and in vivo. These data suggest that PPMOs alone or in combination with antibiotics represent a novel approach to addressing the problems associated with rapidly increasing antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa.

scholarly journals Art-175 Is a Highly Efficient Antibacterial against Multidrug-Resistant Strains and Persisters of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 3774-3784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Briers ◽  
Maarten Walmagh ◽  
Barbara Grymonprez ◽  
Manfred Biebl ◽  
Jean-Paul Pirnay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Bactericidal Effect ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Resistant Strains

ABSTRACTArtilysins constitute a novel class of efficient enzyme-based antibacterials. Specifically, they covalently combine a bacteriophage-encoded endolysin, which degrades the peptidoglycan, with a targeting peptide that transports the endolysin through the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Art-085, as well as Art-175, its optimized homolog with increased thermostability, are each composed of the sheep myeloid 29-amino acid (SMAP-29) peptide fused to the KZ144 endolysin. In contrast to KZ144, Art-085 and Art-175 pass the outer membrane and killPseudomonas aeruginosa, including multidrug-resistant strains, in a rapid and efficient (∼5 log units) manner. Time-lapse microscopy confirms that Art-175 punctures the peptidoglycan layer within 1 min, inducing a bulging membrane and complete lysis. Art-175 is highly refractory to resistance development by naturally occurring mutations. In addition, the resistance mechanisms against 21 therapeutically used antibiotics do not show cross-resistance to Art-175. Since Art-175 does not require an active metabolism for its activity, it has a superior bactericidal effect againstP. aeruginosapersisters (up to >4 log units compared to that of the untreated controls). In summary, Art-175 is a novel antibacterial that is well suited for a broad range of applications in hygiene and veterinary and human medicine, with a unique potential to target persister-driven chronic infections.

scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 Enhances the Efficacy of Norfloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus Newman Biofilms

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Orazi ◽  
Fabrice Jean-Pierre ◽  
George A. O’Toole
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Multiple Infection ◽  
Bacterial Biofilms ◽  
Interspecies Interactions ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The thick mucus within the airways of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) promotes frequent respiratory infections that are often polymicrobial. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two of the most prevalent pathogens that cause CF pulmonary infections, and both are among the most common etiologic agents of chronic wound infections. Furthermore, the ability of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus to form biofilms promotes the establishment of chronic infections that are often difficult to eradicate using antimicrobial agents. In this study, we found that multiple LasR-regulated exoproducts of P. aeruginosa, including 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO), siderophores, phenazines, and rhamnolipids, likely contribute to the ability of P. aeruginosa PA14 to shift S. aureus Newman norfloxacin susceptibility profiles. Here, we observe that exposure to P. aeruginosa exoproducts leads to an increase in intracellular norfloxacin accumulation by S. aureus. We previously showed that P. aeruginosa supernatant dissipates the S. aureus membrane potential, and furthermore, depletion of the S. aureus proton motive force recapitulates the effect of the P. aeruginosa PA14 supernatant on shifting norfloxacin sensitivity profiles of biofilm-grown S. aureus Newman. From these results, we hypothesize that exposure to P. aeruginosa PA14 exoproducts leads to increased uptake of the drug and/or an impaired ability of S. aureus Newman to efflux norfloxacin. Surprisingly, the effect observed here of P. aeruginosa PA14 exoproducts on S. aureus Newman susceptibility to norfloxacin seemed to be specific to these strains and this antibiotic. Our results illustrate that microbially derived products can alter the ability of antimicrobial agents to kill bacterial biofilms. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are frequently coisolated from multiple infection sites, including the lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers. Coinfection with P. aeruginosa and S. aureus has been shown to produce worse outcomes compared to infection with either organism alone. Furthermore, the ability of these pathogens to form biofilms enables them to cause persistent infection and withstand antimicrobial therapy. In this study, we found that P. aeruginosa-secreted products dramatically increase the ability of the antibiotic norfloxacin to kill S. aureus biofilms. Understanding how interspecies interactions alter the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial biofilms may inform treatment decisions and inspire the development of new therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals 1597. Ceftolozane-Tazobactam and Meropenem Synergy Testing Against Multi-Drug and Extensively-Drug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S794-S795
Author(s):  
Mary Francine P Chua ◽  
Syeda Sara Nida ◽  
Jerry Lawhorn ◽  
Janak Koirala
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Synergistic Effect ◽  
Inhibitory Concentration ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Additive Effect ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Extensively Drug Resistant ◽  
Synergy Testing ◽  
Concentration Indices

Abstract Background Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) have limited therapeutic options for treatment. Ceftolozane/tazobactam is a newer anti-pseudomonal drug effective against resistant PA infections, however resistance against this drug has now also developed and is increasing. In this study, we explored the combination of ceftolozane/tazobactam (CT) and meropenem (MP) as a possible effective regimen against MDR and XDR PA. Methods We obtained 33 non-duplicate isolates of MDR and XDR PA grown from blood, urine and respiratory samples collected from patients admitted between 2015 and 2019 at our two affiliate teaching hospitals. MDR PA was defined as resistance to 3 or more classes of anti-pseudomonal antibiotics, and XDR PA as resistance to all but two or less classes of anti-pseudomonal antibiotics. Antimicrobial preparations of both MP and CT were made according to manufacturer instructions. Susceptibility testing was performed using the checkerboard method in accordance to CLSI guidelines (CLSI M100, 2017). The ATCC 27853 strain of PA used as control. Synergy, additive effect, indifference and antagonism were defined as FIC (fractional inhibitory concentration) indices of ≤0.5, >0.5 to <1, >1 to <4, and >4, respectively. Results Thirteen (39%) of 33 PA isolates were classified as XDR, while 20 (61%) PA isolates were MDR. All isolates were resistant to MP (MIC50 >32 ug/mL), while only 2 (6%) isolates were susceptible to CT (MIC50 64 ug/mL). A synergistic effect was seen in 9 (27.3%) of PA isolates (FIC index range 0.28 to 0.5)— 2 of which were XDR PA, and 7 were MDR PA. An additive effect was seen in 12 (36.4%), with indifference seen in 12 (36.4%) of isolates. In this study, no antagonism was seen when CT and MP were combined. Conclusion When used in combination, CT and MP can exert a synergistic effect against MDR and XDR PA. Additive effect and indifference can also be seen when both antibiotics were used. Moreover, there was no antagonism seen when both antibiotics were combined. This study shows that the use of CT and MP in combination may be an option against XDR and MDR PA infections. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals In Vitro Newly Isolated Environmental Phage Activity against Biofilms Preformed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Ersilia Vita Fiscarelli ◽  
Martina Rossitto ◽  
Paola Rosati ◽  
Nour Essa ◽  
Valentina Crocetta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
In Vitro Test ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Hospital Environments ◽  
Vitro Test ◽  
General Reliability ◽  
Phage Activity

As disease worsens in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) colonizes the lungs, causing pulmonary failure and mortality. Progressively, PA forms typical biofilms, and antibiotic treatments determine multidrug-resistant (MDR) PA strains. To advance new therapies against MDR PA, research has reappraised bacteriophages (phages), viruses naturally infecting bacteria. Because few in vitro studies have tested phages on CF PA biofilms, general reliability remains unclear. This study aimed to test in vitro newly isolated environmental phage activity against PA isolates from patients with CF at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (OBG), Rome, Italy. After testing in vitro phage activities, we combined phages with amikacin, meropenem, and tobramycin against CF PA pre-formed biofilms. We also investigated new emerging morphotypes and bacterial regrowth. We obtained 22 newly isolated phages from various environments, including OBG. In about 94% of 32 CF PA isolates tested, these phages showed in vitro PA lysis. Despite poor efficacy against chronic CF PA, five selected-lytic-phages (Φ4_ZP1, Φ9_ZP2, Φ14_OBG, Φ17_OBG, and Φ19_OBG) showed wide host activity. The Φ4_ZP1-meropenem and Φ14_OBG-tobramycin combinations significantly reduced CF PA biofilms (p < 0.001). To advance potential combined phage-antibiotic therapy, we envisage further in vitro test combinations with newly isolated phages, including those from hospital environments, against CF PA biofilms from early and chronic infections.

scholarly journals Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO 1 In Vitro Time–Kill Kinetics Using Single Phages and Phage Formulations—Modulating Death, Adaptation, and Resistance

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 877
Author(s):  
Ana Mafalda Pinto ◽  
Alberta Faustino ◽  
Lorenzo M. Pastrana ◽  
Manuel Bañobre-López ◽  
Sanna Sillankorva
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Phage Therapy ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Swarming Motility ◽  
Resistance Development ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Time Kill

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is responsible for nosocomial and chronic infections in healthcare settings. The major challenge in treating P. aeruginosa-related diseases is its remarkable capacity for antibiotic resistance development. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is regarded as a possible alternative that has, for years, attracted attention for fighting multidrug-resistant infections. In this work, we characterized five phages showing different lytic spectrums towards clinical isolates. Two of these phages were isolated from the Russian Microgen Sextaphage formulation and belong to the Phikmvviruses, while three Pbunaviruses were isolated from sewage. Different phage formulations for the treatment of P. aeruginosa PAO1 resulted in diversified time–kill outcomes. The best result was obtained with a formulation with all phages, prompting a lower frequency of resistant variants and considerable alterations in cell motility, resulting in a loss of 73.7% in swimming motility and a 79% change in swarming motility. These alterations diminished the virulence of the phage-resisting phenotypes but promoted their growth since most became insensitive to a single or even all phages. However, not all combinations drove to enhanced cell killings due to the competition and loss of receptors. This study highlights that more caution is needed when developing cocktail formulations to maximize phage therapy efficacy. Selecting phages for formulations should consider the emergence of phage-resistant bacteria and whether the formulations are intended for short-term or extended antibacterial application.

scholarly journals Bacteriophage Cocktail-Mediated Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm on Endotracheal Tube Surface

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Viviane C. Oliveira ◽  
Ana P. Macedo ◽  
Luís D. R. Melo ◽  
Sílvio B. Santos ◽  
Paula R. S. Hermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Endotracheal Tube ◽  
Metabolic Activity ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Tube Surface ◽  
Screening Assay ◽  
Biofilm Growth ◽  
Phage Cocktail

Although different strategies to control biofilm formation on endotracheal tubes have been proposed, there are scarce scientific data on applying phages for both removing and preventing Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms on the device surface. Here, the anti-biofilm capacity of five bacteriophages was evaluated by a high content screening assay. We observed that biofilms were significantly reduced after phage treatment, especially in multidrug-resistant strains. Considering the anti-biofilm screens, two phages were selected as cocktail components, and the cocktail’s ability to prevent colonization of the endotracheal tube surface was tested in a dynamic biofilm model. Phage-coated tubes were challenged with different P. aeruginosa strains. The biofilm growth was monitored from 24 to 168 h by colony forming unit counting, metabolic activity assessment, and biofilm morphology observation. The phage cocktail promoted differences of bacterial colonization; nonetheless, the action was strain dependent. Phage cocktail coating did not promote substantial changes in metabolic activity. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a higher concentration of biofilm cells in control, while tower-like structures could be observed on phage cocktail-coated tubes. These results demonstrate that with the development of new coating strategies, phage therapy has potential in controlling the endotracheal tube-associated biofilm.

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