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Bacteriophages are synergistic with bacterial interference for the prevention of P seudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation on urinary catheters
Author(s) -
Liao K.S.,
Lehman S.M.,
Tweardy D.J.,
Donlan R.M.,
Trautner B.W.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05432.x
Subject(s) - pseudomonas aeruginosa , microbiology and biotechnology , escherichia coli , biofilm , bacteriophage , bacteria , catheter , urinary catheterization , phage therapy , colonization , urinary system , biology , chemistry , medicine , surgery , gene , genetics , biochemistry , endocrinology
Aims We hypothesized that pretreating urinary catheters with benign E scherichia coli HU 2117 plus an antipseudomonal bacteriophage (Φ E 2005‐ A ) would prevent P seudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation on catheters – a pivotal event in the pathogenesis of catheter‐associated urinary tract infection ( CAUTI ). Methods and Results Silicone catheter segments were exposed to one of four pretreatments (sterile media; E . coli alone; phage alone; E . coli plus phage), inoculated with P . aeruginosa and then incubated up to 72 h in human urine before rinsing and sonicating to recover adherent bacteria. P seudomonas aeruginosa adherence to catheters was almost 4 log 10 units lower when pretreated with E . coli plus phage compared to no pretreatment ( P < 0·001) in 24‐h experiments and more than 3 log 10 units lower in 72‐h experiments ( P < 0·05). Neither E . coli nor phage alone generated significant decreases. Conclusions The combination of phages with a pre‐established biofilm of E . coli HU 2117 was synergistic in preventing catheter colonization by P . aeruginosa . Significance and Impact of the Study We describe a synergistic protection against colonization of urinary catheters by a common uropathogen. Escherichia coli ‐coated catheters are in clinical trials; adding phage may offer additional benefit.