Surface acoustic waves increase the susceptibility ofPseudomonas aeruginosabiofilms to antibiotic treatment

Abstract

Bacterial urinary tract infections resulting from prolonged patient catheterization have become a major health problem. One of the major issues is bacterial resistance to antibiotic treatments due to biofilm formation inside the catheters, thus enhancing the search for alternative treatments. In the present study, a device containing a piezo element capable of transmitting low-frequency surface acoustic waves (SAW) onto the indwelling catheter was used. The SAW were able to eradicate biofilm-residing bacteria by >85% when applied simultaneously with an antibiotic in three clinically relevant species, viz. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, transcriptome analysis revealed that SAW can alter the transcription pattern of P. aeruginosa, suggesting that this signal can be specifically sensed by the bacterium.

Biofilm-Related Infections: Bridging the Gap between Clinical Management and Fundamental Aspects of Recalcitrance toward Antibiotics

“…After 3 weeks, this approach significantly reduced the bacterial burden in urine. Surface acous-tic waves have also been proposed for the eradication of biofilms, in conjunction with antibiotics (293).…”

Sound Waves Effectively Assist Tobramycin in Elimination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms In vitro

“…It is also suggested that mechanical damage, abrogation of bacterial adhesion, and bypassing the obstacle of conditioning-films are also possible effects of ultrasound therapy (54-58). However, the major practical disadvantages of ultrasound therapy are cavitation-induced tissue damage and localized tissue heating (50). In addition, ultrasound requires professionally trained staff, relatively large instruments, and is not yet available for use on indwelling devices.…”

“…One promising approach utilized is ultrasound combined with antibiotic treatment (50). Ultrasound approach is based on longitudinal and/or shear waves through the material with linear particle motion in a cavitation range (50). It has been shown that ultrasound treatment reduces the final drug concentration needed to achieve desired microbial inhibition and minimize the generation of antimicrobial resistance among microbes (51)(52)(53).…”

“…The principle behind these approaches is to overcome indigenous protective mechanisms of the biofilms. One promising approach utilized is ultrasound combined with antibiotic treatment (50). Ultrasound approach is based on longitudinal and/or shear waves through the material with linear particle motion in a cavitation range (50).…”

“…Sound waves are safe and user-friendly, and upon optimization, these waves could potentially be applied in controlling biofilms in chronic wounds, indwelling devices, and in the airways. Kopel et al (2011) have investigated the usage of a device containing a Fig. 4.…”