title: Antibacterial effects of extracorporeal shock waves.
abstract: Despite considerable knowledge about effects of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) on eukaryotic tissues, only little data are available concerning their effect on prokaryotic microorganisms. The objective of the present study was to determine the bactericidal activity as a function of energy flux density and shock-wave impulse number. Standardised suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 were exposed to different impulse numbers of shock waves with an energy flux density (ED) up to 0.96 mJ mm(-2) (2 Hz). Subsequently, viable bacteria were quantified by culture and compared with an untreated control. After applying 4000 impulses, a significant bactericidal effect was observed with a threshold ED of 0.59 mJ mm(-2) (p < 0.05). A threshold impulse number of more than 1000 impulses was necessary to reduce bacterial growth (p < 0.05). Further elevation of energy and impulse number exponentially increased bacterial killing. ESWT proved to exert significant antibacterial effect in an energy-dependent manner. Certain types of difficult-to-treat infections could offer new applications for ESWT.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Sportorthopädie der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany. Gerdesmeyer@aol.com
authors.forename: Ludger
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gerdesmeyer
authors.forename: Christof
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Eiff
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henne
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roessner
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Diehl
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gollwitzer
mesh_terms: D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010539:Permeability / Q000528:radiation effects; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*