Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on Pseudomonas aeruginosa susceptibility to imipenem and macrophages
Flavia Luna Lima1, Paulo Pinto Joazeiro, Marcelo Lancellotti
1Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Background:
The seriousness to treat burn wounds infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa led us to examine whether the effect of the carbapenem antibiotic imipenem is enhanced by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO).
Materials & Methods:
The effects of HBO (100% O2, 3 ATA, 5 h) in combination with imipenen on bacterial counts of six isolates of P. aeruginosa and bacterial ultrastructure were investigated. Infected macrophages were exposed to HBO (100% O2, 3 ATA, 90 min) and the production of reactive oxygen species monitored.
Results:
HBO enhanced the effects of imipenen. HBO increased superoxide anion production by macrophages and likely kills bacteria by oxidative mechanisms.
Conclusion:
HBO in combination with imipenem can be used to kill P. aeruginosa in vitro and such treatment may be beneficial for the patients with injuries containing the P. aeruginosa.
