Methods for removing bacterial biofilms: in vitro study using clinical chronic rhinosinusitis specimens.
BACKGROUND
Bacterial biofilms may be involved in refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). In vitro, we studied methods for removing biofilms formed by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.


METHODS
Bacterial isolates were obtained from patients with refractory CRS and were plated and treated with either static administration of citric acid/zwitterionic surfactant (CAZS), saline delivered with hydrodynamic force, or CAZS delivered hydrodynamically. Results were assessed by counting colony-forming units (CFUs) and by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM).


RESULTS
All treatments produced significant reductions in CFU counts (p >or= 0.002). Hydrodynamic CAZS provided the greatest reduction, decreasing CFU counts from control values by 3.9 +/- 0.3 logs and 5.2 +/- 0.5 logs for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively (99.9% reduction; p = 0.001). CSLM showed decreases in biofilm coverage.


CONCLUSIONS
Hydrodynamic delivery of a soap-like surfactant and a calcium-ion sequestering agent may disrupt biofilms associated with CRS. Our results may be relevant to a new approach to refractory CRS.
Desrosiers
Martin
M
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal and McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Myntti
Matthew
M
James
Garth
G
D018441:Biofilms; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004724:Endoscopy; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008829:Microbiology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000378:metabolism*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D019343:Citric Acid