Abstract
Background
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common hospital-acquired infections, with an estimated 75% of UTIs caused by urinary catheters. In addition to the significant healthcare costs and patient morbidity, the escalating antimicrobial resistance reported among common uropathogens make the investigation of efficacious new antimicrobial strategies of urgent importance.
Aim
To examine the antibacterial activity of a suite of weak organic acids (WOAs) (citric acid, malic acid, propionic acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid, benzoic acid, pyruvic acid and hippuric acid), alone and in combination, against common nosocomial uropathogens (Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).
Methods
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC), fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values and kinetics of bactericidal activity of WOAs were determined by microdilution and time-kill assays.
Findings
All tested WOAs displayed bactericidal activities against uropathogens in their planktonic and biofilm modes of growth when used individually. Moreover, WOAs in combination displayed synergistic activity against P. mirabilis, S. aureus and E. coli, with reductions in MIC values of up to 250-fold and significant reductions in biofilm formation.
Conclusion
The synergistic multi-mechanistic combinations identified herein are anticipated to play an important role in the treatment and prevention of catheter-associated UTIs.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common hospital-acquired infections, with an estimated 75% of UTIs caused by urinary catheters. In addition to the significant healthcare costs and patient morbidity, the escalating antimicrobial resistance reported among common uropathogens make the investigation of efficacious new antimicrobial strategies of urgent importance.
Aim
To examine the antibacterial activity of a suite of weak organic acids (WOAs) (citric acid, malic acid, propionic acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid, benzoic acid, pyruvic acid and hippuric acid), alone and in combination, against common nosocomial uropathogens (Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).
Methods
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC), fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values and kinetics of bactericidal activity of WOAs were determined by microdilution and time-kill assays.
Findings
All tested WOAs displayed bactericidal activities against uropathogens in their planktonic and biofilm modes of growth when used individually. Moreover, WOAs in combination displayed synergistic activity against P. mirabilis, S. aureus and E. coli, with reductions in MIC values of up to 250-fold and significant reductions in biofilm formation.
Conclusion
The synergistic multi-mechanistic combinations identified herein are anticipated to play an important role in the treatment and prevention of catheter-associated UTIs.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 78-88 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Hospital Infection |
| Volume | 111 |
| Early online date | 02 Feb 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 01 May 2021 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Synergistic activity of weak organic acids against uropathogens'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Student theses
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Combatting device-associated, healthcare-associated infections with innovative anti-biofouling and anti-blocking technologies
Author: Burns, J., Jul 2023Supervisor: McCoy, C. (Supervisor) & Carson, L. (Supervisor)
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy