Broad Host Range Peptide Nucleic Acids Prevent Gram-Negative Biofilms Implicated in Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Biofilms are microbial communities that protect bacteria from antibiotics, causing device-associated infections like catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).
• Existing prevention methods, including antibiotics and coated catheters, are largely ineffective against biofilm formation in CAUTIs.
• There is a critical need for innovative strategies to combat biofilm-related infections in urinary catheters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of antisense peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) in preventing and eliminating bacterial biofilms associated with CAUTIs.
• To evaluate PNAs targeting specific regulatory genes in Gram-negative bacteria commonly found in CAUTIs.

Main Methods:

• Biofilm-forming Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli) were treated with antisense PNAs.
• PNAs targeted global regulator genes (rsmA, amrZ, rpoS) and a motility regulator gene (motA).
• Biofilm biomass and bacterial viability were quantified after 24 hours of PNA treatment.

Main Results:

• A PNA cocktail targeting rsmA, amrZ, and rpoS significantly reduced bacterial viability and biofilm biomass in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• Antisense PNAs targeting these genes, plus motA, inhibited biofilm formation in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Escherichia coli.
• Bacterial viability was not reduced in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Escherichia coli treated with PNAs.

Conclusions:

• Antisense PNAs represent a promising new technology for preventing biofilm formation in urinary catheters.
• PNAs could serve as a valuable adjunct to conventional antimicrobial therapies for CAUTIs.
• Targeting specific bacterial genes with PNAs offers a novel approach to combatting device-associated infections.