Potentiation of ciprofloxacin action against Gram-negative bacterial biofilms by a nitroxide

Pathog Dis. 2015 Jul;73(5):ftv016. doi: 10.1093/femspd/ftv016. Epub 2015 Mar 2.

Abstract

We previously showed that soluble nitroxides (nitric oxide analogues) mimicked the well-established ability of nitric oxide to cause biofilm dispersal and further showed that these compounds could prevent biofilm formation. Here, we investigated the effect of the nitroxide carboxy-TEMPO in combination with sub μg/ml concentrations of ciprofloxacin on pre-formed flow cell biofilms formed by Gram-negative bacteria. Combination therapy led to substantial eradication of existing biofilms formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 (99.3%) and Escherichia coli O157 (93%).

Keywords: biofilm; ciprofloxacin; nitroxide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Ciprofloxacin / pharmacology*
  • Cyclic N-Oxides / metabolism*
  • Drug Synergism*
  • Escherichia coli O157 / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli O157 / physiology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / physiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cyclic N-Oxides
  • Ciprofloxacin