Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on Pseudomonas aeruginosa susceptibility to imipenem and macrophages

Future Microbiol. 2015;10(2):179-89. doi: 10.2217/fmb.14.111.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa; free radicals; hyperbaric oxygen; imipenem; macrophages; superoxide anion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Drug Synergism
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation*
  • Imipenem / pharmacology*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / microbiology*
  • Mice
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / physiology*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / ultrastructure
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Superoxides / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Superoxides
  • Imipenem