title: The inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation by micafungin and the enhancement of antimicrobial agent effectiveness in BALB/c mice.
abstract: Micafungin inhibits biofilm formation by impeding 1,3-β-D-glucan synthesis in Candida albicans. Since Pseudomonas aeruginosa also has 1,3-β-D-glucan in its cell wall, this study assessed the effects of antibacterial agents in vitro and in vivo on micafungin-treated biofilm-forming P. aeruginosa isolates. After treatment with micafungin as well as with a panel of four antibacterial agents, biofilm production was significantly reduced as measured by spectrophotometry. The relative mRNA transcription levels for the genes encoding pellicles (pelC) and cell wall 1,3-β-D-glucan (ndvB), which were measured by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), significantly decreased with micafungin treatment. In vivo, the survival rates of P. aeruginosa-infected BALB/c mice significantly increased after combined treatment with micafungin and each of the antibacterial agents. Of these treatments, the combination of micafungin with levofloxacin had the highest survival rate; this combination was the most effective treatment against P. aeruginosa-induced infection.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Kohar Annie B
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kissoyan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Wael
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bazzi
authors.affiliation: b Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Usamah
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hadi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ghassan M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Matar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000502:physiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D054714:Echinocandins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D064704:Levofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055666:Lipopeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D000077551:Micafungin; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D055666:Lipopeptides; D047071:beta-Glucans; D064704:Levofloxacin; C033363:beta-1,3-glucan; D000077551:Micafungin
keywords: BALB/c mice; Micafungin; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; antibacterial agents; biofilm