Microbial growth inhibition by alternating electric fields in mice with Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection.
High-frequency, low-intensity electric fields generated by insulated electrodes have previously been shown to inhibit bacterial growth in vitro. In the present study, we tested the effect of these antimicrobial fields (AMFields) on the development of lung infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice. We demonstrate that AMFields (10 MHz) significantly inhibit bacterial growth in vivo, both as a stand-alone treatment and in combination with ceftazidime. In addition, we show that peripheral (skin) heating of about 2 degrees C can contribute to bacterial growth inhibition in the lungs of mice. We suggest that the combination of alternating electric fields, together with the heat produced during their application, may serve as a novel antibacterial treatment modality.
Giladi
Moshe
M
Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 32000, Israel.
Porat
Yaara
Y
Blatt
Alexandra
A
Shmueli
Esther
E
Wasserman
Yoram
Y
Kirson
Eilon D
ED
Palti
Yoram
Y
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002442:Ceftazidime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002442:Ceftazidime