Effect of perfluorooctyl bromide on bacterial growth.
BACKGROUND
Perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) is administered directly into the lungs of critically ill patients during partial liquid ventilation. This adjunctive therapy facilitates respiratory support in lung-injured patients and potentially interacts with pathogens in patients with pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction of PFOB with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.


METHODS
The antimicrobial activity of PFOB against P. aeruginosa was determined using modified time-kill methods. PFOB concentrations of 25, 50, 75, 90 and 99% were studied. Electron microscopy was used to evaluate morphologic changes following PFOB exposure to the organism.


RESULTS
Viable counts at baseline were approximately 1 log(10) lower when P. Aeruginosa was exposed to PFOB compared to controls. Significant bacterial killing occurred over the first 2 h for the 90% (p = 0.023) and 99% (p = 0.045) PFOB concentrations versus control. Electron microscopy demonstrated that PFOB disturbs the bacterial cell wall, and produces vacuolizations within the cell.


CONCLUSIONS
PFOB kills P. aeruginosa in a concentration-dependent manner through disruption of the cell architecture.
Jung
Rose
R
School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, USA.
Pendland
Susan L
SL
Martin
Steven J
SJ
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C003072:perflubron