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Permeation of antimicrobial agents through Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms: a simple method

M Shigeta1, G Tanaka, H Komatsuzawa

  • 1Department of Urology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.

Chemotherapy
|October 6, 1997
PubMed

Insights

This study assessed antibiotic penetration through Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Levofloxacin and sparfloxacin showed excellent permeation, while piperacillin and imipenem had moderate penetration.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms pose significant challenges in clinical settings due to their inherent resistance to antibiotics.
  • Evaluating antibiotic penetration through biofilms is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the permeation rates of various antibiotics through Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms using a novel, simple method.
  • To compare the efficacy of different antibiotic classes, including beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones, in penetrating biofilms.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured a leucine-requiring mucoid mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on cell culture insert membranes for 5 days at 37°C in a chemically defined medium.
  • Measured the penetration rates of piperacillin, imipenem, amikacin, gentamicin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and sparfloxacin through the developed biofilms at days 0, 1, 3, and 5.

Main Results:

  • Piperacillin (PIPC) and imipenem (IPM) exhibited moderate permeation, with penetration rates reaching 50% by day 5.
  • Aminoglycosides amikacin (AKM) and gentamicin (GM) showed poor permeation, with rates below 25% after day 1.
  • Levofloxacin (LVFX) and sparfloxacin (SPFX) demonstrated excellent permeation, achieving 100% penetration from day 0 to 5.
  • Ofloxacin (OFLX) and ciprofloxacin (CPFX) displayed permeation rates comparable to imipenem.

Conclusions:

  • The developed method provides a simple and effective means to evaluate antibiotic penetration through biofilms.
  • Levofloxacin and sparfloxacin are promising agents for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infections due to their superior penetration.
  • Significant differences in biofilm penetration exist among antibiotic classes, highlighting the need for tailored therapeutic approaches.

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