Abstract
Background: Cystic fibrosis is characterised by hyperviscous mucus production that results in cycles of infection and inflammation. Recent studies have suggested the use of carbon sources, such as mannitol, to stimulate the metabolic activity of persister cells and restore their susceptibility to antibiotics.
Aims: The current study aims to establish a representative model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) biofilm lung infection and investigate the effects of aerosolised mannitol on antibiotic efficacy, focusing on ciprofloxacin, in the eradication of the biofilm.
Method: A thin biofilm was cultured onto Snapwell inserts that was incorporated into a pharmacopeia deposition apparatus, the Anderson Cascade Impactor. Three formulations were nebulised directly onto the Pa biofilm, including: mannitol only, ciprofloxacin only and ciprofloxacin and mannitol combined. Antibacterial effectiveness was evaluated using colony-forming units (CFU) counts and scanning electron microscopy.
Results: Nebulisation of mannitol promotes the dispersion of the bacteria from the biofilm and demonstrated an enhancement of the antibacterial efficacy of ciprofloxacin (Fig. 1).
Conclusions: The development of a representative lung model of bacterial biofilm could potentially be used as a platform for future pre-clinical screening. Furthermore, the co-administration of mannitol and ciprofloxacin could be a potential new strategy to improve antibiotic therapy.
- © 2014 ERS
