title: Electrochemical scaffold generates localized, low concentration of hydrogen peroxide that inhibits bacterial pathogens and biofilms.
abstract: We hypothesized that low concentrations of H2O2 could be generated through the electrochemical conversion of oxygen by applying an electric potential to a conductive scaffold and produce a low, but constant, concentration of H2O2 that would be sufficient to destroy biofilms. To test our hypothesis we used a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain, because this species is often implicated in difficult-to-treat biofilm infections. We used conductive carbon fabric as the scaffold material ("e-scaffold"). In vitro experiments demonstrated the production of a maximum constant concentration of ~25 μM H2O2 near the e-scaffold surface. An e-scaffold was overlaid onto an existing A. baumannii biofilm, and within 24 h there was a ~4-log reduction in viable bacteria with an ~80% decrease in biofilm surface coverage. A similar procedure was used to overlay an e-scaffold onto an existing A. baumannii biofilm that was grown on a porcine explant. After 24 h, there was a ~3-log reduction in viable bacteria from the infected porcine explants with no observable damage to the underlying mammalian tissue based on a viability assay and histology. This research establishes a novel foundation for an alternative antibiotic-free wound dressing to eliminate biofilms.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering &Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman 99163, WA.
authors.forename: Sujala T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sultana
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering &Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman 99163, WA.
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atci
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering &Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman 99163, WA.
authors.forename: Jerome T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Babauta
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman 99163, WA.
authors.forename: Azeza Mohamed
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Falghoush
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman 99163, WA.|Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman 99163, WA.
authors.forename: Kevin R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Snekvik
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman 99163, WA.|Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman 99163, WA.
authors.forename: Douglas R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Call
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering &Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman 99163, WA.
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beyenal
mesh_terms: D040981:Acinetobacter baumannii / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide