Fluid flow overcomes antimicrobial resistance by boosting delivery.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biophysics
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health threat, necessitating novel strategies beyond traditional chemical optimization.
• The physical process of antimicrobial delivery into bacterial communities has been largely overlooked in combating AMR.

Approach:

• Utilized biophysical simulations and microfluidic experiments to investigate the role of fluid flow in antimicrobial delivery.
• Examined the interaction between fluid dynamics and antimicrobial efficacy against the resistant pathogen *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*.

Key Points:

• Increasing fluid flow effectively overcomes bacterial resistance to hydrogen peroxide, gentamicin, and carbenicillin.
• Resistant *P. aeruginosa* neutralizes antimicrobials in low-flow conditions, creating depletion zones.
• Higher flow rates disrupt bacterial community shielding, enhancing antimicrobial penetration and effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• Physical flow dynamics are as critical as chemical properties in determining antimicrobial effectiveness.
• Incorporating flow into antimicrobial discovery, development, and application offers a promising new strategy against AMR.
• This research highlights a paradigm shift from solely chemical approaches to a combined physical and chemical strategy for combating antimicrobial resistance.