Abstract
Background: Beta-2-agonists, like salbutamol are commonly used in patients with lung disease such as cystic fibrosis where chronic infection is common. Recently salbutamol was shown to have an effect on host defence in a murine model, impairing clearance of Haemophilus influenzae from the respiratory tract [1]. To determine if salbutamol affected bacterial virulence, we investigated the effect salbutamol had on the growth and virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA).
Aim: To determine if salbutamol affects the growth, virulence and biofilm production of PA.
Methods: Clinical isolates of PA were used for experiments with and without addition of salbutamol at a range of concentrations between 0.375-100 microgram/millilitre [2]. Viable colony counts and growth curve were performed to determine bacterial growth. Biofilm formation was studied using attachment crystal violet assay, light and advanced microscopy and electron microscopy using 1 cm2 endotracheal tube pieces.
Results: There was no difference in the growth of PA in the presence of salbutamol. However, even at low concentrations of salbutamol (1 mcg/ml) there was a significant increase in bacterial clumping on light microscopy and increased biofilm formation on endotracheal tube sections on electron microscopy.
Conclusions: Salbutamol appears to increase biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This data does not imply that the use of beta-2-agonist be discouraged, but suggests that a potential role in the virulence of PA must be investigated.
References:
1. Maris et al. Respiratory Research 2006, 7:57
2. Atabai et al. Intensive Care Medicine 2002, 28:705–11
- © 2011 ERS
