Bicarbonate may alters bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics by targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Introduction: Acute acidemia is a common clinical condition in critical diseases. Acidemia is associated with poor prognosis in case of persistence. In the case of metabolic acidosis, it is beneficial to increase the pH by administering sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3) since cell functions are impaired. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial efficacy of NaHCO 3 used in metabolic acidosis, especially in critically ill patients in intensive care units, and to reveal its contribution to antimicrobial therapy for possible concomitant sepsis. Methods: S. aureus ATCC 29213, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and E. coli ATCC 25922 strains were seeded into liquid Müller Hinton medium (Oxoid, UK) and the in-vitro effect of Group C (Control-1 mL sterile saline) and Group B (Sodium Bicarbonate-NaHCO 3) on these bacteria following 24 hours of incubation at 37 degreesC was investigated. Following the use of Epoch spectrophotometer (BioTek Inst. Inc. Vermont, USA) for the 0. and 24. hours, the growth in wells was analyzed in CFU/mL and log10 CFU/mL by comparison with the standard curve. Results: From the start to the 24. hour, there was a significant decrease in bacterial colony numbers of S. aureus ATCC 29213, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and E. coli ATCC 25922 strains in Group B when compared to the control group (p<0.01). The intra-group antibacterial efficacy comparison revealed a significant decrease in bacterial colony numbers in Group B between 0-24 hours (p<0.01). There was a significant increase in all bacterial colony numbers in the control group (p=0.04).